Be careful of infections that can be transmitted from pools and the sea

Denizli Private Tekden Hospital Infectious Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şerife Akalın pointed out that with the increase in the number of people swimming in the sea and pools during the summer months, there has also been an increase in the number of patients coming to hospitals with infection symptoms, highlighting the pollution caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Denizli Private Tekden Hospital Infectious Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şerife Akalın stated that there is an increase in the number of people coming with infection symptoms due to the rise in the number of those swimming in the sea and pools during the summer months. She emphasized that children’s pools are particularly risky in terms of infection transmission. She drew attention to the fact that in pools with common use areas, many bacteria, viruses, and parasites create pollution, and that these microbes can mix with water, leading to contact with water that sick individuals have touched, which can enter through the mouth or nose or be ingested.

“The number of people coming to the hospital with infection symptoms has increased during the summer months”
Infectious Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şerife Akalın noted that there has been an increase in the number of patients coming to hospitals with infection symptoms during the summer months, saying, “With the increase in the number of people swimming in the sea and pools in the summer, there has also been an increase in the number of patients coming to hospitals with infection symptoms. Children’s pools are especially more risky in terms of infection transmission.”

“Infected water that sick individuals have come into contact with can be transmitted through the mouth or nose or be ingested”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akalın indicated that infected water that sick individuals have touched can be transmitted through the mouth or nose or be ingested, stating, “The most significant reason for infection transmission from pool water is organic pollution originating from the users of the pool. In particular, several bacteria, viruses, and parasites create pollution in pools that are used in common areas. Microbes such as E.coli, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Shigella, which mix with water, can cause diarrhea when ingested. Hepatitis A, an infectious disease, can also be transmitted through water that sick individuals have been in contact with by entering through the mouth or nose or being ingested. Rivers and seas can similarly become polluted. Drinking or coming into contact with this water can lead to diarrhea, respiratory system infections, ear, eye, and skin infections. Fungi are organisms that do not die in chlorinated environments and do not disappear in the sea. They can easily spread from the pool as they can reproduce in chlorine as well. Additionally, the chlorine in pools can cause eye disorders known as chemical conjunctivitis,” she said.

Your children should be careful while playing in the pool
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akalın stated that children’s pools are somewhat riskier in terms of infection transmission, commenting, “Children’s pools are a bit more risky in terms of infection transmission. The fact that children have less control over their feces and urine and are more likely to swallow water while playing is the most significant factor. Infections can especially be transmitted from pools that are not adequately cleaned and where clean water circulation is not regularly maintained.”

Facilities should be able to provide a cleaning report upon request
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akalın pointed out that facilities should be able to present their cleaning report to customers, stating, “The Ministry of Health has established health principles that swimming pools must adhere to in open and closed pools, aqua parks, thermal pools, and similar establishments. The sampling of pool water is carried out by the Public Health Directorate or accredited public institutions or private laboratories authorized by the ministry. Pool waters are subjected to both physical and chemical analysis and are reported, with activities permitted for those found compliant with the relevant legislation. The control of pools in tourist facilities falls under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism.”

The primary cause of infections is organic pollution
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akalın also touched upon the causes of infections, stating, “The most significant reason for infection transmission from pool water is organic pollution originating from the users of the pool. Additionally, microorganisms that breed in dark environments where ultraviolet light does not reach and in stagnant waters can also be a source of infection. Precautions must be taken against such infections.”

Stating that precautions must be taken against such infections, Akalın listed the measures that can be taken as follows:
“For cleanliness and hygiene, a shower should be taken before entering the pool, and hands should be washed with soapy water after using the toilet. Individuals showing any signs of illness or infectious diseases should not use communal pools. People should wear swimming goggles to prevent their eyes from coming into contact with water. One should avoid swallowing water as much as possible. After exiting the pool, one should take a shower with clean water or rinse their mouth with clean water, and their eyes should also be washed with clean water. Individuals with open wounds should enter the pool only after covering the wound with a waterproof bandage or should refrain from using the pool until the wound heals. In cases of fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, redness in the eyes, sores, or itching in the genital area, one should consult a healthcare institution.”