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.
