Just when you thought it was safe to dive into the water, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed an unsettling rise in a diarrhea-inducing parasite lurking in pools and hot tubs. Known as “cryptosporidium” or “crypto” for short (doesn’t it sound like a playful character from a cartoon?), this resilient parasite can survive for up to 10 days in chlorinated water. In contrast to E. coli, which was previously my primary concern in pool water and can be eradicated in under a minute with proper chlorination, crypto is a whole different ballgame.
After the CDC’s suggestion, I decided to explore their Healthy Swimming app to “educate myself about the germs we all introduce to our swimming environments.” Although I take issue with the insinuation that I might be one of those germ carriers, I uncovered several revelations worth sharing:
- Many aquatic facilities utilize a single filtration system for multiple pools. This means that one unfortunate individual who indulged in bad clams can potentially contaminate an entire waterpark.
- Crypto boasts a robust outer shell, which allows it to withstand even well-treated chlorinated water in its quest for survival and infection.
- Backyard inflatable pools can serve as breeding grounds for recreational water illnesses (RWIs) because they typically lack chlorination and filtration systems.
- Drinking from a public pool is a no-go (I know, there goes my go-to hydration method for summer!)—and it’s also advisable to avoid sitting directly on the jets. A concentrated stream of potentially contaminated water isn’t the best idea. Lesson learned!
- “Interactive fountains” may be a fun way to cool off, but one such “spraypark” in the summer of 2005 was linked to 1,700 infections, with 425 confirmed cases of crypto.
- Over 20% of American adults are unaware that swimming while experiencing diarrhea can contaminate the water. I confess I was part of that statistic; however, the idea of swimming under such conditions is so repulsive that I feel assured I haven’t contributed to this issue.
- There are approximately 7.3 million hot tubs operating in the United States. While I’m unsure if that number is significant or not, it could serve as an interesting trivia point to steer the conversation away from the more unpleasant topics.
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In summary, the CDC’s findings remind us to be mindful of hygiene while enjoying public pools and other water facilities. From cryptosporidium’s resilience to the collective responsibility we share, it’s essential to stay informed and practice safe swimming habits.