Swimming Pool Problems

In swimming pools, urine, fecal matter, vomit, and blood are found. Below is some information on what survives chlorine.


http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Swimming_pools...


Cryptosporidiosis is caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. The parasite is found in the faeces of infected humans, cattle and other mammals. Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis associated with pools occur when swimmers accidentally swallow pool water contaminated by the parasite. In 1998, hundreds of people developed cryptosporidiosis after swimming in contaminated public pools in several cities in Australia.

Cryptosporidiosis is very contagious
One infected person can pass enough parasites in a day's visit to contaminate a large swimming pool. The parasites are highly resistant to chlorine, the usual form of pool disinfection. Swallowing as few as two parasites can lead to infection.

Symptoms associated with cryptosporidiosis
Symptoms develop one to 12 days (on average, seven days) after swallowing contaminated water. and include:
• Profuse, watery diarrhoea, often accompanied by abdominal cramping.
• Fatigue.
• Fever.
• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

The symptoms usually persist for about two weeks, and may be more severe and of longer duration in children, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system (for example, through HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy or organ transplants). This is due to there being no specific treatment for cryptosporidiosis.

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http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/bloodandvomit.htm


Vomit and Blood Contamination of Pool Water

Check for existing guidelines from your local or state regulatory agency before use. Healthy Swimming recommendations do not replace existing state or local regulations or guidelines.

The most common germs spread through recreational water are germs that cause diarrheal illnesses and skin rashes. These are spread by swallowing water contaminated with feces or by skin exposure to contaminated water. Pool water is unlikely to spread illness.

Vomit in Pool Water
Vomiting while swimming appears to be a common event. Often, vomiting is a result of swallowing too much water and, therefore, the vomit is probably not infectious. However, if the full contents of the stomach are vomited, follow the guidance in these Q & As:
Q: What germs are likely to be spread by vomit?
A: Noroviruses (also known as Norwalk-like viruses)

Q: Assuming that norovirus is in the vomit, what should I do?
A: Respond to the vomit accident as you would respond to a formed fecal accident, using CDC's recommendations. The time and chlorine level combinations needed to kill noroviruses and Giardia are similar. Since killing Giardia is the basis of CDC’s formed fecal accident response recommendations, this protocol should be adequate for disinfecting a potentially infectious vomit accident.
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