Your Health, Swimming, and Waterborne Illnesses

A MINUTE OF HEALTH WITH CDC
Your Health, Swimming, and Waterborne Illnesses
Surveillance for Waterborne Disease and Outbreaks
Associated with Recreational Waters
May 18, 2007

This program is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC – safer, healthier people.

Each year, millions enjoy swimming in public pools, lakes, rivers, and the ocean. However the cost of cooling off can be high: a recent CDC report found that during 2003 and 2004 nearly three thousand Americans got sick from water in recreational areas. Diarrhea was the most common illness reported, with most outbreaks occurring in swimming pools, spas, and water parks.

Even though chlorine kills germs that can make people sick, some bugs like the parasite, Cryptosporidium, are chlorine-resistant. Protect yourself and others: Never swim if you have diarrhea, don’t swallow pool water, always shower before swimming, and with young children, take frequent bathroom breaks and check diapers often.

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