Don’t Drink the Water- How to Avoid Water-related Illness

You’ve probably heard the advice “Don’t drink the water” when you travel to less developed areas of the world. But water can make you sick even without drinking it.

Illness from Contact with Water

Bacteria and other disease-causing organisms can be transmitted by swimming and other water-related sports

in private and public pools
recreational freshwater and oceans
hot tubs, splash pads, water parks
decorative fountains

Drinking, inhaling, and direct contact with water contaminated with a variety of bugs can cause a wide range of illnesses, most of which are preventable. Here is an overview of common conditions to watch out for.

Drowning

The most serious risk of water is drowning or near-drowning, with 3,300 deaths and another 5,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States.

Children are especially at risk of drowning. Teaching children to swim as early as practical and supervising them around pools and other bodies of water are critical to prevention.

Drowning Prevention

Learn basic swimming and water safety skills
Build fences that fully enclose pools
Wear a life jacket
continue reading at the link

caution signs at a swimming pool. — Drowning can be prevented by following rules.

Gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) Illnesses-

Symptoms

Nausea,
vomiting,
diarrhea,
cramps,
fever

Causes

Norovirus
Shigella and Campylobacter bacteria
E. coli bacteria
Giardia
Cryptosporidium

stream with a kayak — Water in creeks, streams, and rivers is not safe to swallow.

Respiratory (nose, throat, lungs) illnesses

Symptoms

cough,
nasal/sinus congestion,
ear pain/fullness,fever

Swimmer’s Ear

Causes-

pool chemicals
Legionella and other bacteria

Skin Conditions

Symptoms–

rash,
redness,
itching,
burning

Causes –

Mycobacterium
Vibrio infection
Pseudomonas bacteria
Schistosomes

Most of these conditions resolve without treatment, or are treatable with appropriate antibiotics.

two people dangling their legs into a pool. — Don’t let water related illness spoil your summer fun. photo from stock photo site- Lightstock.com- affiliate link

Serious but Rare

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis is a rare but deadly sinus-related infection caused by Naegleria fowleri in freshwater and soil

Leptospirosis is another brain infection caused by a group of spirochetes known collectively as leptospires. It is also infrequent.

Preventing Water-related Infection

Don’t drink water used for recreation even if treated with chlorine.
Children younger than five years should not use hot tubs.
Persons with diarrhea or recent diarrhea infection should not swim for one week after symptoms have cleared.
Swimmers should shower before using a hot tub or pool.
Don’t swim with open wounds, or use waterproof bandage if you do. .
Learn more and get more tips on staying well at these links from

drawing of a child standing on a diving board at a pool — from the American Academy of Family Physicians

from American Family Physician

Waterborne Illnesses

Talk to your doctor if you have bloody diarrhea, diarrhea that lasts more than a week, or a cough with fever. See your doctor right away if you have more serious symptoms, such as fever and a stiff neck after swimming in a freshwater pond, or a bad skin infection with fever. Be sure to tell your doctor that you’ve been in the water.

Safe Surfing

Sharks very rarely attack people. Common sense can protect you from most shark attacks. Do not go into the water if sharks have been reported in your area. Do not surf if you are bleeding or have open cuts. If you see a shark, get out of the water. Do not try to touch the shark. Get help right away if you think you have been bitten.

Sea Creature Injuries and Fish Poisoning

To avoid ciguatera poisoning, don’t eat the fish that often carry the ciguatera toxin. This includes amberjack, grouper, snapper, sturgeon, king mackerel, barracuda, and moray eel.

At Smithsonian, learn about

8 diseases to watch out for at the beach

man and woman next to a wooden boat on a beach — My husband and I are enjoying the beach on our last day in Zanzibar

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I took all of the photos in this post except the cover photo. It and another one are from Lightstock, credited in the caption.

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Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me. View all posts by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

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