Diseases transmitted from pools

Gastrointestinal infections, ear infections, especially external ear canal infections, eye infections, urinary tract infections, sinusitis, fungal skin infections, and allergic skin and respiratory problems are conditions that can occur in children who swim in pools.

Gastrointestinal Infections

It is one of the leading pool-borne infections. It is often caused by bacteria such as salmonella, shigella, and Escherichia coli; viruses such as rotavirus, adenovirus, enterovirus, norovirus, and hepatitis A virus; or parasites such as cryptosporidium, amoeba, giardia, and pinworm. Among these, we most frequently encounter infections of viral origin.

How is it transmitted?

Transmission occurs through the fecal-oral route, saliva, respiratory droplets, and close contact. These microorganisms that enter pool water can remain viable for several hours to several days and can infect susceptible children even with the ingestion of very small amounts of water. This risk exists even in well-maintained pools with very effective disinfection systems.

How are the symptoms and diagnosis determined?

Gastrointestinal infections usually begin with vomiting and low-grade fever, progressing to diarrhea and abdominal pain. The infection is evaluated through physical examination; blood, urine, and stool tests may be ordered if necessary.

What is the treatment like?

Most diseases can be controlled through symptom-targeted treatment approaches and an antidiarrheal diet. The most serious manifestation of gastrointestinal infections is fluid and electrolyte loss through vomiting and diarrhea. Antiemetic and antidiarrheal medications may not be effective against vomiting and diarrhea, and may even have side effects. Therefore, dietary practices aimed at maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance are important.

How should the diarrhea diet be?

Light foods and beverages should be consumed. During the vomiting phase, opt for a diet consisting of light beverages. Give your child carrot juice, peach juice, low-concentration ayran, rice water, weak tea, or carbonated sugar-free soda. Administer these drinks in small amounts and at frequent intervals. Even if your child vomits occasionally, be sure to continue this diet. During vomiting episodes, do not force-feed your child until the vomiting stops. When forced to eat, the stomach cannot digest these foods, and this will trigger vomiting, increasing fluid and electrolyte loss. After vomiting stops completely and diarrhea begins, you can gradually introduce semi-solid foods in addition to these beverages, such as mashed bananas, peaches, carrots, potatoes, rice purée, yogurt soup, lean pasta, rice pilaf, and boiled meat and chicken.

In which case should I consult a doctor?

If diarrhea is bloody and slimy, diarrhea has lasted longer than 5-7 days, vomiting more than 8-10 times, fever is above 39° and persists for more than 2 days, oral nutrition is insufficient, symptoms of fluid electrolyte loss have begun to appear (such as decreased urine quantity, dry mouth, collapse of the eyeballs, collapse of the fontanelle in infants, decreased tear, decreased abdominal skin tension, changes in consciousness, absent-mindedness, tendency to sleep, acceleration of breathing), consult a doctor without wasting time .

How to protect against gastrointestinal infections?

Let your child swim in the pool you think has been adequately disinfected. Keep them from swallowing pool water. If they are old enough to swim on their own, warn them not to swallow pool water. Get the rotavirus and hepatitis A vaccines.

References:

• World Health Organization. Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments, Volume 2: Swimming Pools and Similar Environments. Geneva: WHO; 2006.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Healthy Swimming: Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI). Atlanta: CDC; Güncel çevrimiçi rehber.

• American Academy of Pediatrics. Red Book: 2021–2024 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. Itasca, IL: AAP; 2021.

• T.C. Ministry of Health. Regulations on Health Standards for Swimming Pools and Infectious Diseases Guidelines. Ankara.