If precautions are not taken, the sea and the pool, which are entered to cool off in summer, can invite many diseases from the digestive system to genitourinary system infections, skin infections and fungi, external ear canal infections and eye infections. Prof. Dr. Fatma Bozkurt, Faculty Member of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Department of Internal Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, made suggestions that will be effective in protecting against infections. Bozkurt emphasized that it is absolutely necessary to take a shower after leaving the sea or pool, to use a swimming cap, underwater goggles and earplugs when entering the pool, and that children under 2 years of age should not be allowed in common pools.
Prof. Dr. Fatma Bozkurt, Lecturer at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Department of Internal Medical Sciences, Istanbul Atlas University Faculty of Medicine, gave information about infections caused by pool and sea, which are frequently encountered in the summer months.
It can be transmitted by swallowing and contact with water
Pointing out that sea and pool waters can increase the risk of infection when necessary precautions are not taken, Prof. Dr. Fatma Bozkurt said, “One of the most beautiful activities that can be done in summer is swimming. However, sea and pool waters increase the risk of infectious diseases when certain precautions are not taken. Ingestion, contact or inhalation of infected water contaminated with microbes or chemicals in the water we swim in constitute the main transmission routes.” Drawing attention to infectious diseases that are frequently encountered and can sometimes lead to serious consequences, Prof. Dr. Fatma Bozkurt warned against the risk of digestive system infections, genitourinary system infections, skin infections and fungi, external ear canal infections and sinusitis and eye infections.
Digestive system infections are in the first place
Stating that digestive system infections and especially diarrhea are the most common infections transmitted from pools, Prof. Dr. Bozkurt said, “A wide variety of viruses and bacteria, especially Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella (Typhoid), Shigella (Dysentery), E. Coli (Tourist Diarrhea), can survive for a long time in pools with insufficient water circulation and chlorination. These germs can be transferred to the water if a child infected with these germs soils a diaper while in the water or if an adult has a fecal accident. Ingestion of pool water containing these germs can infect healthy swimmers and cause diarrhea.”
Chewing gum should not be chewed in the pool
Speaking about the measures that can be taken to protect against digestive system infections, Prof. Dr. Bozkurt said, “Pools where chlorination and water circulation are not sufficient should not be entered. Care should be taken not to swallow water in the pool. Water can be swallowed especially when chewing gum, so we recommend not chewing gum while swimming. It is important to prefer facilities where children's and adult pools are separate.”
Beware of burning during urination and frequent urination
Referring to genitourinary system infections, Prof. Dr. Bozkurt said, “Urinary tract, genital fungus and vaginal infections are also common. Sitting for a long time by the sea or by the pool in a wet swimsuit causes the genital area to remain moist for a long time, creating an ideal environment for the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi. In these diseases, symptoms such as burning during urination, frequent urination, pain in the lower back and groin, burning, itching and discharge in the genital area may occur. While these complaints affect the comfort of life, if not treated properly, they can lead to bad consequences that can extend to kidney loss and dialysis.” Prof. Dr. Bozkurt mentioned the things to be considered to protect against such infections and said, “After leaving the sea or pool, shower immediately and wear dry and cotton underwear after the shower. Clean and unhygienic toilets should not be used.”
High risk of skin infections and fungus in the pool
Emphasizing that some skin infections and fungi can be transmitted through the pool, Prof. Dr. Bozkurt warned, “Places such as pools, bathrooms and toilets that are not cleaned sufficiently, common use of items such as slippers and towels, moisture on the skin with increased sweating in the heat, and pool waters using excessive amounts of chlorine cause skin irritation and pave the way for the development of skin diseases such as scabies, impetigo and fungus.” Pointing out the importance of hygienic measures in protecting against skin infections and fungus, Prof. Dr. Bozkurt said, “Feet should be washed with antiseptic solution, showered and a cap should be worn before entering the pool area. After leaving the pool, you should immediately take a shower to clean the skin from possible germs and excess chlorine and dry yourself with a clean towel as soon as possible.”
Water in the ear is an invitation
Noting that external ear canal infections are a problem that can lead to serious problems, Prof. Dr. Bozkurt said, “As a result of staying in the water for a long time or getting water in the ear, the flora of the external auditory canal, which has a protective function, is disrupted and a wide variety of bacteria, especially Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, which settle here, can cause external ear inflammation (otitis).”
Prof. Dr. Bozkurt also stated that bacteria in contaminated water during diving can reach the sinuses through the nose and cause sinus inflammation, popularly known as sinusitis, and said, “In addition, fungi and viruses that enter the ear from pool water can also cause infection in the ear. It manifests itself first as itching and then as purulent-foul-smelling discharge. Ear pain and fever, vomiting are other symptoms. Ear infection can lead to hearing loss over time,” he said. Stating that ear plugs should be used when entering the pool, Bozkurt said, “If there is an active ear infection or if there is a tube in the ear, swimming in the pool should be avoided. To protect against sinusitis, nasal plugs should be used while diving into the pool or jumping into the water, or the nostrils should be covered with hands.”
Attention to eyes in the pool
Stating that another disease that can be transmitted from pool and sea water is eye infections, Prof. Dr. Fatma Bozkurt said, “Conjunctivitis may develop in the eyes due to irritation caused by bacterial or chlorine in the water. It can cause complaints such as redness, burning, stinging and burring in the eye. In bacterial conjunctivitis, burrs can be seen, while redness and severe pain can be seen in the eyes only in those due to chemical irritation. Sometimes viruses called adenoviruses, popularly known as red eye, can cause eye disease. This virus can cause not only red eye but also croup, colds, sore throat and diarrhea. Goggles should be used when entering the pool or if one does not want to use goggles, the eyes should be covered during immersion in the water,” she warned.
Prof. Dr. Fatma Bozkurt also listed the things to be considered when entering the pool as follows:
Large pools with high water circulation should be preferred.
If there is visible pollution in the pool and turbidity in the water, you should never enter that pool.
The latest analysis results of swimming pools (temperature, pH, free chlorine values and microbiological properties of water) should be preferred in pools that are regularly inspected and disinfected and hung on a board that can be seen by those entering the pool.
Pools without adequate disinfection, without water circulation, where the same water is chlorinated repeatedly without filtering should not be entered.
It should be avoided to enter pools where general hygiene rules are not applied, where you can enter the pool area with shoes, slippers used outside, and where the use of a swimming cap is not mandatory.
Rather than days and hours when the pools are overcrowded, times when fewer people enter should be preferred. Because no matter how much disinfection is done, time is needed for chlorine to be effective on some microbes.
A swimming cap, underwater goggles and earplugs should be used when entering the pool.
Children under 2 years of age should not be allowed in communal pools. Not only can they get infected by swallowing water, but they can also infect other people because they have poor urinary and fecal control.
Children who are old enough to enter the pool should be trained not to swallow water and to cover their mouths and noses while diving into the water. Especially Hepatitis A and Rotavirus vaccines should be administered.
Animals should not be allowed to be in the swimming pool with people under any circumstances.
For the treatment of all these diseases, infectious diseases, also known as Intaniye department should be consulted.
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