1. Don't swim when you have diarrhea.
If you've been running to the bathroom non-stop, there's a strong chance that fecal matter can spread bacteria around the pool you're swimming in, according to Dr. Kathryn Jacobsen, assistant professor in the College of Health and Human Services' Department of Global and Community Health at George Mason University. To avoid spreading infection to others, hold off on taking a dip until your stomach has settled and you've cleaned thoroughly.
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2. Don't swallow pool water.
The majority of diseases contracted through pool water are fecal-oral, which means keeping pool water away from your mouth is essential. If you decide to venture underwater, be sure to keep your lips sealed shut.
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3. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
You wash up before going to restaurants, parties and other places where you'll be surrounded by a lot of people, so why should the pool be any different? Maintain your hygienic habits and cleanse thoroughly before going for a swim.
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4. Take kids on bathroom breaks and check diapers often.
"Kids with diarrhea should not be in the pool and kids in diapers should be in water/leak-proof diapers," stressed Dr. Arthur Reingold, Professor and Head of the Division of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health at the UC Berkeley. Otherwise, leakage of fecal matter can contaminate the pool.
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5. Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and poolside.
It's safer for baby and those swimming with baby to change and dispose of diapers in designated areas away from the pool. Harmful bacteria from your little one's mess should be kept far from the water, where it can spread infection to your child and others.
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FLILGUY 01:35:20 AM Aug 24 2009
I had a cousin get a really funky skin fungus from the public pool. On his genital and butt area. I never wanted to swim in a public pool after that.
Dannys Dailys 04:19:34 AM Jul 14 2009
I believe this article is really talking about public pools, and perhaps the 'Y." These types of pools are generally so over-clorinated that very little, of anything could possible survive. That said, I would never swim in a public pool!I've been a pool and hot tub owner for a couple of decades and would gladly drink out of either one of them over the city water in my pipes.That said, you have to do a lot to maintain even private pools. Such as, no clothing at all in the pool! Clothing introduces tons of dirt and detergents that while not alive bacteria, will certainly play havoc to the filter system in the long run. Granted, when the kids are over, bathing suits are allowed, but you'd still want to keep this kind of activity to a minimum.For hot tubs, they should be kept at at least 102 degrees and no clothing whatsoever, if that means no kids at all, so be it. The heat itself will kill most any bacteria. But, hot tubs have a very limited amount of water which makes them very e
MBrngt 03:03:53 AM Jul 14 2009
please do not pee in our OOL notice there is no 'P' in there and thats the way we would like to keep it heheheor better yet.... please do not pee in our pool and we will not swim in your toilet ....ok
Predatory 02:46:26 AM Jul 14 2009
Ha ha ha.... you people are pitiful!!! My god. How has the human race survived this long with all these ooey, gooey germs??? I live out in the country. We want to go swimming we just jump in the pond. GASP!!!! Holy Crap and we are still alive! There are ducks, Beaver, Muskrats, turtles and deer and for sure the run off from that farm just above us on the next level. Oh My God!!! Grab the Chlorine, get the disinfectant. Hey folks, you can spout all your garbage about germs but the fact is that the more sterile you try to keep your environment the more chance that a simple little bug like the flu is gonna bring ya down. I'm not saying you should roll in poop (altho in an initiation I did get thrown in a pile of horse manure once), but come on, lighten up and stop sweatin the small stuff. Everybody has peed in a pool and have you ever, ever, EVER heard of anyone getting sick from it?
AUDITOR0007 02:26:01 AM Jul 14 2009
If you ever have to use a public restroom, you'll understand how it is so many people would piss in a swimming pool.
amyhr2001 01:26:10 AM Jul 14 2009
Chlorine may kill lots of bacteria, but only if it is concentrated enough. Also, there are bacteria that can live in some of the harshest environments on earth. Not necessarily a guarantee of safety. Children and those with weakened immune systems are most affected? Say it isn't so! Seems to me that should be a given, along with the elderly. That's not even news-worthy.
Ryhuang22 12:58:29 AM Jul 14 2009
people not showering should be what you all should be looking at. if they dodn't wash their butts what do you think is clinging down there?
slimsarah08 11:49:08 PM Jul 13 2009
Gross! Thats just sickO! Peeing in the pool as an adult...uggggh. I have finally gottne all the fat off and this is what I get to think about as I am swimming in a pool?! Crikeys. I get that Buy 3 Get 1 FREE Acai Berry at http://www.Acai-eez.com/
vettejon86 11:43:54 PM Jul 13 2009
If I had a pool I would never let a fat person in it. You know damn well they are so fat there is no way they can clean off that soap and dirt scum from the middle of their back. They cant reach it. The really fat pigs cant even reach 50% of their bodies. No wonder fat women smell like a ***** with all that perfume they have to wear to cover up the dirt and stench smell. LMAO
JERRY JABA 11:33:41 PM Jul 13 2009
what about chlorine bacteria cant live in that type of enviroment
