I just read an article about a parasite that is resistant to chlorine, called Cryptosporidium (or "crypto"). The cases of crypto-infection have doubled in the last year, and symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and low-grade fevers.
The cause is from human and animal feces in the water, and when ingested, can cause the above symptoms which can last for 2 weeks.
One of the tips to keep public pools safe is to check your child's swim diaper often, and promptly remove them from the pool if they need to be changed. Another tip is to make sure your child's "diaper-changing area" is thoroughly clean (preferably with soap and water) before entering the pool.
My son and I take "swimming" lessons, and this does concern me! I'm in the pool with him, and I don't want either one of us to contract this disease!
Does this change the way you feel about taking your children (and yourself) to a public pool?
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Most community pools around here have kiddie pools. The gross thought is that all the diaper stuff that would have a chance of contaminating the water would be confined to that pool - supposedly - a dreadful thought, nonetheless! Then again, some parents like to take the diaper clad to the big kid's pool to play or teach them to swim. Good common sense would help here.
It's not easy to avoid getting pool water in your mouth if you're a swimmer. I swim laps, a "bazillion" of them, and I'm concerned about what might be lurking in the water. It's bad enough having to swim in chlorine!
Thanks for sharing the information. :)
July 31, 2008 - 4:24pmThis Comment
Pools in our area were actually closed as a result of this scare. The city acted very quickly to get the issue resolved and I think generally, the pools are pretty safe. It's just a matter of personal use. The press has been pretty good about getting word out and making sure people are educated about the causes and the best ways not to contract it.
So far, I haven't been to the pools, but I know other people who use them have tapered off.
Your information about diapers is excellent. A few other thoughts from the City of Phoenix:
Please don’t swallow the pool water. In fact, avoid getting water in your mouth.
Please practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.
July 31, 2008 - 2:31pmThis Comment