Key points
- You can get sick from germs in water you swim or play in (like pools and lakes).
- Children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
- Stay out of water if you have diarrhea, don't swallow the water, and take other steps to prevent swimming-related illnesses.
Swimming-related illnesses
The most common swimming-related illnesses are:
Diarrhea is the most common cause of swimming-related outbreaks.
Exposure
You can get swimming-related illnesses if you:
- Swallow water with germs
- Have contact with (touch) water with germs
- Breathe in mist from water with germs
- Have contact with chemicals that are in the water
- Breathe in chemicals that evaporate from the water and turn into gas in the air
If you have diarrhea in the water, you can spread diarrhea-causing germs to others. If you swallow even small amounts of water with diarrhea-causing germs in it, you can get sick.
Risk factors
Anyone can get sick from swimming-related illnesses. However, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
Contact a healthcare provider if you get sick after swimming or going in water.
If you have a weakened immune system, talk to your healthcare provider before swimming or doing other activities in water. Water contaminated with Cryptosporidium germs can cause life-threatening symptoms in people with weakened immune systems.
Preventing illnesses
Pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds with proper chlorine or bromine levels and pH are less likely to spread germs. Injuries and drownings are less likely when trained staff and safety equipment are present.
Take the following steps every time you swim to avoid injuries and prevent getting or spreading germs.
Before you get in pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds
Steps to take
- Check the latest inspection results.Look on your state or local health department website or at the physical location. Ask your health department if you have questions.
- Look for the drain.Make sure you can see the drain at the bottom of the deep end. Check that the drain covers appear to be secured and in good condition.
- Check for lifeguard(s).If on duty, the lifeguard(s) should be focused on swimmers and not distracted.
If no lifeguard is on duty, locate safety equipment, such as a rescue ring or pole. - Make sure no chemicals are out in the open.Pool chemicals can cause injuries.
Check yourself
Steps to take
- Stay out if you are sick with diarrhea.If you have been diagnosed with Cryptosporidium, don't go back in the water until two weeks after your diarrhea has completely stopped.
- Protect open cuts or wounds.Stay out if you have an open cut or wound (particularly from a surgery or piercing). If you do go in the water, use waterproof bandages to completely cover the cut or wound.
- Shower before getting in the water.A one-minute shower removes most of the dirt, sweat, and oils on your body that use up the pool chemicals needed to kill germs.
Once you are in
Steps to take
- Don't pee or poop in the water.This can spread germs to others.
- Don't swallow the water.Even if water looks clean, it can still have germs in it that could make you sick.
- Use a life jacket if needed.Use a well-fitting, Coast Guard-approved life jacket to help you float. Don’t use air-filled toys like water wings.
- Keep an eye on children at all times.Kids can drown in seconds and in silence.
- Take bathroom breaks.Every hour, take kids on bathroom breaks and check diapers. Change diapers away from the water to keep germs from getting in.
- Dry ears thoroughly after swimming.Drying ears helps prevent germs from growing in your outer ear (swimmer’s ear).
At oceans, lakes, or rivers
Steps to take
- Look for swim warnings or closures.Check on state or local government websites or for signs near the water.
- Avoid unusually cloudy water.Cloudy water can be a warning that there are more germs in the water than normal.
- Stay out if you see pipes.Pipes draining into or around the water could be putting germs or harmful chemicals into the water.
- Wash your hands before eating.Wash your hands for 20 seconds before eating, especially if you have been playing in or touching sand. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer might not work as well when hands are visibly dirty or greasy, so wiping sand off before using it might be helpful.