HHS HealthBeat (June 29, 2007)

Going swimming?

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Swimming is good exercise as well as lots of fun. But what’s in that water, anyway? Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been tracking increases in germs. The CDC’s Michael Beach has an example:

``There’s been a steady increase in outbreaks of diarrheal illness since the mid-1980s. This is really due to the emergence of a chlorine-resistant parasite called Cryptosporidium.’’ (11 seconds)

Just the same, good pool maintenance does a lot to keep the water clean. And people can help by not swimming when they’re ill with diarrhea.

If you like natural water – the ocean or a lake – you can’t count on pool maintenance, of course. But Beach says you should avoid swimming after heavy rains, which can wash contaminants into the water.

Beach says to keep perspective – generally, things are good – and have fun.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

Last revised: June, 29 2007