Chlorine Doesn't Guarantee Water Safety
Although chlorine eliminates
most germs in pool water, some germs remain. According to pediatricians at
Boys Town Pediatrics, chlorine does not kill the germs of infectious
diarrhea. The water can become contaminated if a person with infectious
diarrhea swims in the pool, even if he or she doesn’t
have an accident in the
water. It is also possible for germs from infectious diarrhea to pollute the
water up to two weeks after the diarrhea has stopped.
When a person accidentally
swallows contaminated pool water, he or she may get diarrhea that lasts just
a few days or several weeks. Young children, pregnant women, and people with
weakened immune systems should be the most cautious as infectious diarrhea
can be especially serious.
According to Boys Town Pediatrics, there are steps that
can be taken to lower the risk of becoming sick from water activities,
including:
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Don’t allow your child to swim if he or she has
diarrhea.
·
Remind your child that there are germs in the pool and not to drink
the pool water.
·
Have your child use the restroom before getting into the pool. If
swimming for a lengthy period of time, be sure to take your child to the
restroom periodically.
·
Never change your child’s diaper poolside as germs can
contaminate surfaces and items around the pool, spreading disease.
·
Always cleanse your child’s diaper area thoroughly
with soap and water
before going swimming.
·
Make sure your child washes his or her hands with soap and water
after going to the bathroom and before re-entering the pool.
·
If you see feces in the water or notice a child having his or her
diaper changed poolside, be sure to tell a lifeguard. Such actions could
spread disease.
·
Swim diapers or swim pants are not 100 percent effective against
leakage. If your child has diarrhea, do not expect these products from
stopping leaks from entering the pool.
Copyright 2004 by Boys Town Pediatrics,
Omaha, NE . All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.