By Gina Bailey, BSN, RN
Infection Preventionist, Quality/Infection Control, Blanchard Valley Health System
Summer is here, and now is the time to enjoy the weather and get into the water. But many do not know that while you are in the lazy river or perfecting your cannonball, you are coming into contact with bacteria, viruses and parasites. Most of these will not cause you to become sick, but some can cause what is known as Recreational Water Illness (RWI).
The most common RWIs are diarrhea, skin rashes and swimmer's ear. They occur when you swallow or inhale contaminated water, get contaminated water into your ears or into cuts of your skin. Contaminated water can be found in natural locations like streams, oceans and lakes or in public pools, hot tubs and water parks. Most of the time, these pathogens are killed with chlorine and other pool chemicals, but not always.
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