Record Number of Swimmers Sickened by Contaminated Water

Drowning isn't the only bad thing that can happen to you when you go for a swim.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a record number of people -- nearly 14,000 -- became ill from swimming in contaminated water from January 2007 through December 2008, the most recent period for which statistics are available.

It represents a 72 percent increase from the previous period and includes outbreaks linked to swimming pools, spas, lakes, rivers and ocean water. Almost half (60 outbreaks or 45 percent) were caused by Cryptosporidium, an extremely chlorine-tolerant parasite.

The increase during the two year span is largely due to increases in outbreaks associated with Cryptosporidium. Reversing this trend will require improvements in swimming pool disinfection and operation, pool regulations and enforcement, and swimmer hygiene, the agency said.

Here are some tips for preventing recreational water illness outbreaks:

• Don't swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
• Don't swallow the pool water. Avoid getting water in your mouth.
• Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.

In addition, during 2007–2008, more than 4,000 cases of illnesses and injuries were caused by pool chemicals annually. These illnesses and injuries were linked to both private and public pools and often can be prevented by good chemical handling practices. 

Lakes and ponds

Eight fatal cases of primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a very rare and deadly brain infection caused by the freshwater ameba Naegleria fowleri occurred during 2007-2008.

These cases were all linked to exposure to untreated fresh water, such as lakes and ponds.

The only certain way to prevent these infections is to stay out of lakes, ponds and rivers.

However, the CDC says you might reduce your risk when swimming in warm, shallow freshwater by avoiding warm freshwater during periods  when the temperature is high and water levels are low, holding your nose or using nose clips, and avoiding digging in or stirring up the sediment.