Going by epidemiological investigations, recreational bathing could be enjoyable when done in swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, lakes, ponds, rivers, ocean or water parks. Alas! More than a dozen infections are attributed to pools, mostly in the case of the public ones.
In other words, all pools can be plagued with germs if adequate measures are not taken most especially in public swimming pools.
DISEASES COMMON TO POOL
Shigellos
This is an acute bacterial disease known with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and fever. The transmission is done through the fecal-oral route in contaminated water.
Giardiasis
It is a diarrheal disease that enters the body through the mouth. The Giardiasis-caused parasite lives in the liver. It is passed through feaces and can survive in water for some time even after chlorination.
Nirovirus
This is contracted through contaminated water. It causes stomach inflammation which culminates in nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium parasites as the most common cause of diarrhea could be found in water even when well maintained. This parasite goes into the small intestine and burrows into the walls with fever, vomiting and stomach pain as symptoms that follow.
Legionella
It is a bacterial disease that is found mostly in fresh water. It exposes swimmers to respiratory infections.
Leptospirosis
This bacterial disease caused when the contaminant enters the water through animals’ feaces. They are commonly found in rivers, streams and lakes. This disease is characterized by severe myalsia, rash, jaundice, fever, chills and hemorrhage in the skin or mucous membranes.
Pseudomonas
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known with a cause of illness. Exposure to this disease in contaminated pool subjects swimmers to skin rash.
MEASURES AGAINST POOL INFECTION
1 . Keeping mouth closed
It is advisable that when in water, swallowing pool water should be discouraged. Though this might sound tough but I think it is worth it.
2 . Cleaning up before going swimming
Before going into the pool, it is recommended that you take a bath with soap and water. The reason being that, fecal material trapped from our behind might get into the pool.
3. Changing diapers
Diapers are expected to be changed and should not be placed close the pool so as to keep the germs away.
4. Pooing and peeing
Any time we feel pressed either to piss or poo, withdrawal from the pool to the restroom should be made. This change in environment may also warrant another turn of birth due to the contact made with the toilet door knob and other objects in the process.
5. Staying away from pool incase of crypto
In case of the crypto-induced illness, the patients should stay away from the pod because plunging into the pool with the illness can cause the spread.
He is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Yomi Adeyemo is an educationist whose passion lies in enlightening the society- making the unknown known. His hobbies are reading, writing and being around people.
