Look
Before You Leap: The Dangers of Swimming Pool and Water
Parasites
Some
people can’t get enough of the water, especially during
the summer months. As soon as the weather turns warm, these
“human fish” head out to the nearest pool, lake,
or beach in search of a place to have fun in the sun.
While
it’s true that swimming is an enjoyable, healthy way
to spend your free time, there’s also a chance your
favorite watering hole could expose you to human water parasites
and other recreational water illnesses (RWI). The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that in
the last two decades, there has been an increase in RWI
outbreaks. These human water parasite outbreaks have been
linked to water parks, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, oceans,
and swimming pools.
Human
water parasites can be spread by swallowing, breathing,
or otherwise having contact with contaminated water—even
water that has been treated with sanitation chemicals like
chlorine. The most common symptom of RWI is diarrhea, but
exposure to water parasites causes many other symptoms including:
- Stomach
pain and cramping
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Weight
loss
- Rash
- Wound
infections
Two
common parasites found in recreational water are the giardia
intestinalis parasite and the cryptosporidium parasite (also
known as “crypto”). These microscopic parasites
live in the intestine and are passed through the stool.
Both giardia intestinalis and cryptosporidium are protected
by an outer shell which allows these parasites to survive
outside the body for long periods of time. This outer shell
also makes the parasites resistant to disinfection chemicals
like chlorine.
If
you experience stomach-flu like symptoms after swimming
in a public pool, lake, river, water park, hot tub, or beach,
you may have been exposed to a water parasite. Anyone who
believes they have a parasitic infection should begin the
process of cleansing the parasite from the body. A natural
parasite cleanse is a safe alternative for cleansing a wide
range of parasites from the body. By performing a natural
parasite cleanse, you can also avoid the harsh chemicals
and side effects found in prescription parasite treatments. |
