Swimming-related Illnesses

• Germs in recreational water can cause illnesses, such as diarrhea, skin rashes, or ear infections.
• Recreational water is water where people swim, play, or relax, like pools, hot tubs, splash pads, oceans, lakes, and rivers.
• You can get sick by swallowing or touching contaminated water, or breathing in mists or aerosols from contaminated water.
• Children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk for getting sick.
• If you get sick after swimming, contact a healthcare provider.

Prevention

• Keep germs, pee, and poop out of the water.
  • Don’t swim when you have diarrhea.
  • Shower before you swim.
  • Take bathroom breaks or check diapers at least once an hour.
  • Wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
  • Don’t swallow pool water.
• Check the free chlorine level and pH before getting into the water.
  • Proper free chlorine levels is at least 3 ppm in hot tubs/spas and at least 1 ppm in pools and water playgrounds.
  • Proper pH level in pools is 7.2-7.8.