Germs in swimming pools can cause gastroenteritis and ear, eye, skin and chest infections.
- Simple precautions can keep pools clean.
- Showering before and after swimming
- Do not swim if you’ve had diarrhoea.
- Avoid swallowing pool water.
Swimming pool water and illness
Most swimming pools are clean. But sometimes, if a pool is very busy , germs can multiply.
Germs in swimming pools can cause illnesses like infections of the ear, eye, skin and chest, as well as gastroenteritis. Also, strong chemicals in pool water can sometimes cause eye and skin irritations.
How do germs get into swimming pools?
Germs can get into pool water through:
skin, sweat, wee, poo, saliva and open sores,
dirt, food and other solids that end up in the pool.
Swimming pools need regular treatment and maintenance to keep them clean and safe for swimming.
You can start by:
- using pool chemicals strictly according to manufacturer’s instructions
- testing the water’s pH and chlorine levels regularly
- checking that the water is clear and that you can see the bottom of the pool