Recreational water illnesses on the rise

Scientific publications have reported that risks from most known infectious diseases are on the rise as summers get longer and warmer, winters get shorter and milder and weather events become more extreme.

Swimming is usually safe, but the Centers for Disease Control reported an ongoing increase in recreational water illnesses as a result of swimming in unclean or contaminated water. Water recreation becomes more popular as temperatures climb, thus increasing human exposure to sources of waterborne infections that can cause diarrhea and intestinal infections.

Giardia, among the most common recreational water illnesses, is an intestinal infection marked by stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and bouts of watery diarrhea. It’s caused by a microscopic parasite often found in streams and lakes, but also shows up in pools, splash pads and sources of drinking water believed to be safe. It originates in the feces of infected mammals.

The CDC said a rise in acute diarrheal illness (gastroenteritis) is tied to more people becoming infected with a parasite called cryptosporidium (crypto), which can survive for several days even in pools or water parks properly treated with chlorine. Crypto has a hard shell that makes it difficult to kill.

Freshwater lakes and streams can harbor leptospirosis, a bacterium in urine of mammals. Some of the symptoms it causes for humans may be mistaken for other diseases, while some infected persons may have no symptoms. Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress and even death.

Otitis externa (swimmers ear) happens when water gets trapped in the outer ear canal, causing bacteria or fungus to grow. It can cause itching, pain and swelling. To prevent this, dry ears thoroughly after swimming with a towel. Also, tilt head from side to side and pull gently on the earlobe to help water escape, or run a hair dryer on low heat a few inches away from the ears.

Naegleria infects people when water with this brain-eating amoeba goes up their noses and enters through a bone plate with tiny holes. It is very rare but is on the rise and almost always is fatal. Jumping into ponds and slow-flowing rivers, especially feet-first, is discouraged because this can push water up into the nose.

Individuals can help prevent recreational water illnesses by:

• not letting untreated water from streams or lakes or even treated pool or splash pad water enter the mouth;

• showering before getting into a pool or splash pad. Young children should be washed thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before entering a pool or splash pad;

• skipping the pool or splash pad if anyone in the household is sick, particularly with diarrhea;

• making sure children take frequent bathroom breaks when at the pool or splash pad. Waiting to hear “I have to go” may mean it’s too late;

• frequently checking the diapers of children wearing them when at the pool or splash pad;

• not letting children sit on the spray jets of splash pads because this can cause contamination of water.

Most — but not all — recreational water illnesses can be avoided by simply not drinking untreated water, even if it’s from a stream that appears to be pristine.

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