Minimize Illness Risk to Maximize Water Fun – Wyoming Department of Health

Reduce Sickness Threat to Maximize Water Enjoyable

Could 24, 2022

The Wyoming Division of Well being (WDH) needs residents to maximise the well being advantages of swimming, mountaineering and different out of doors actions in Wyoming whereas additionally minimizing the danger of sicknesses related to water enjoyable.

“Every of us can play a job in stopping sicknesses after we swim, play and loosen up in and close to water whether or not outdoor in heat climate or indoors year-round,” mentioned Courtney Tillman, epidemiologist with WDH.

“Swallowing a small quantity of indoor or out of doors leisure water could make individuals sick,” Tillman mentioned. “You’ll be able to’t inform by trying whether or not water comprises germs. Even in water handled with chlorine, some germs can survive for greater than seven days.”

Ailments akin to cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis and shigellosis are usually triggered when germs get into the swimming pools and out of doors water sources from animal and human feces. Signs can happen days to weeks after publicity and embrace diarrhea, abdomen cramping, fuel, bloating, nausea and urge for food loss.

Tillman mentioned easy issues we will do to assist defend ourselves and others embrace:

• DO keep out of the water if sick with diarrhea.
• DO bathe earlier than getting within the water. When chlorine mixes with grime, sweat, pee and poop, there may be much less chlorine obtainable to kill germs.
• DO take youngsters on lavatory breaks or examine diapers each hour. Change diapers away from the water to maintain germs from getting in.
• DO dry ears totally with a towel whenever you get out of the water.
• DO boil or use a filter or resolution designed to take away germs from streams, rivers and lakes earlier than ingesting.

Actions to keep away from embrace:

• DON’T swallow the water and keep away from getting water mouth.
• DON’T poop or pee within the water.
• DON’T sit or stand on jets at splash pads. Sitting or standing on jets can rinse poop off butts.

For extra details about wholesome swimming, go to www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/.