How to identify a safe swimming pool for children

(Baonghean.vn) - Swimming is an indispensable pleasure on a hot summer day. However, behind the many health benefits, you will have to face a series of pathogens when participating in this activity.

According to health experts, swimming has many good effects on the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, joints, muscles, and obesity. Each hour of regular swimming consumes about 800 kcal. Many studies show that swimming for about 30 to 60 minutes a day, 3 to 4 days a week can reduce the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension.

However, experts also warn of some diseases that can occur when swimming such as:

Conjunctivitisand pink eye:The bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatis that causes conjunctivitis live comfortably in swimming pool water. Therefore, it is not surprising that we are susceptible to conjunctivitis when swimming.

Pink eye is a common disease in public swimming pools. Illustration photo

When you have conjunctivitis, your eyes feel like there is a foreign object inside, tears flow a lot, there is a lot of mucus, and severe eye pain when looking at light... If this disease is not completely treated, it can easily lead to visual disturbances.

In addition to keratitis, when swimming you are also susceptible to eye allergies, dry eyes, and pink eye, which are common diseases in public swimming pools due to the contagious nature of the disease. Some people do not have the habit of using swimming goggles and open their eyes directly underwater, which will have a higher risk of getting sick.

Ear, nose, throat diseases:People often pay little attention to the use of swimming caps when swimming, partly because this is not a very popular equipment, partly because it causes discomfort. This makes it easy for swimming pool water containing bacteria and mold to penetrate and accumulate in the ear. If not cleaned properly, it will cause itching and discomfort. Even worse, it can cause pus in the ear, yellow discharge, otitis externa and hearing loss.

Drinking water or choking on pool water can introduce germs into the nose, throat, and sinuses. In particular, meningococcal infection can progress to death very quickly due to sepsis.

Lung related diseaseand asthma:Chlorine in swimming pool water reacts easily with substances such as urine and sweat to form by-products, mainly chloramines, which can irritate the human respiratory system.

See a doctor if you have difficulty breathing after swimming in a pool. Illustration photo

People who are regularly exposed to chloramines are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop sinus infections, sore throats, and chronic colds than other people. The higher the concentration of chlorine, the higher the risk of illness. If you experience severe coughing and difficulty breathing, you should stop or limit swimming in public pools.

Diarrhea:Water is an ideal environment for the parasite that causes diarrhea, scientifically known as Cryptosporidium, to live. This type of parasite damages epithelial cells in the stomach, intestines, and respiratory tract. When infected, there are often no symptoms, so we are silent reservoirs that transmit the disease to other individuals.

Cryptosporidium infection causes severe, watery diarrhea, combined with abdominal cramps, generalized fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Symptoms vary but usually resolve within 30 days in people without a healthy immune system.

In immunocompromised people, Cryptosporidium infection can be fatal. Cryptosporidium is highly resistant to disinfectants used in drinking water and swimming pool water. Therefore, a person with diarrhea can easily contaminate a swimming pool.

If the number of people in the pool is too large, the water filter in the pool will not be able to filter fast enough to remove toxins. Illustration photo

Athlete's foot:This disease is caused by the fungus Epidermophytin or Trichophytin. For athlete's foot caused by Epidermophytin, the skin between the toes becomes pale, sometimes with blisters appearing on the edges of the toes. Due to severe itching, the patient has to scratch continuously, causing the blisters to burst, erode, and ulcerate, making it easy for secondary infections to occur, causing swelling of the toes, spreading to the feet, and inguinal lymph nodes.

In cases of Trichophytin athlete's foot, the skin between the toes often peels dry, the skin is slightly red, very itchy, and there are patches of scaly skin on the edges of the feet and heels. The toenails may thicken, become rough, opaque yellow or crumble like reed cores.

Chemical skin disease:Chemicals used to disinfect and greenen swimming pool water are the culprits causing the following skin diseases: contact dermatitis (appearing in thin skin areas such as the inside of the arms, armpits, groin, and inner thighs) with typical symptoms and red, itchy patches of skin, possibly with small blisters on a red background. If scratched a lot, it can lead to bacterial superinfection causing severe dermatitis.

Skin darkening, skin pigmentation, and even skin burns are also forms of chemical diseases.

Pool disinfectants can cause dermatitis. Illustration photo

Genital diseases: Vaginal yeast infections or other sexually transmitted diseases, especially gonorrhea, can arise due to unsafe water sources or people with the disease in swimming pools. Genital diseases not only cause immediate discomfort but can also affect fertility in the long term.

Hair diseases:The chemicals used to disinfect and clean the water will make your hair rough and stiff, even causing hair loss after a period of swimming. When swimming, you should use a nylon cap to protect your hair and scalp from contact with these toxic substances.

Use a swimming cap to protect your hair and ears. Illustration photo

16 noteshi let's go swimmingto ensure safety:

1. Take a shower before swimming.

2. Choose a pool that is not too crowded and meets hygiene standards. Check that the pool water is clear enough to see the bottom, has little moss or leaves, and has no strange odors.

3. You should choose a qualified swimming instructor from the beginning to avoid bad habits that are harmful to your health.

4. Children under 5 years old should not soak in water for more than 30 minutes each time, children over 5 years old should only swim for less than 60 minutes.

You should choose a qualified swimming instructor for your child. Illustration photo

5. Parents or instructors need to supervise children regularly while they are swimming to detect accidents early.

6. Choose a time to go swimming when the outside temperature is not too high. Avoid swimming during the hottest hours such as late morning, noon and early afternoon.

7. Should apply sunscreen.

8. Do not eat too much or go to the pool on an empty stomach.

9. Avoid getting pool water into your mouth.

11. You should exercise for 10 to 15 minutes before getting into the pool.

12. Minimize the use of rented swimsuits. Wear goggles and a swimming cap to limit the spread of disease.

Children should be equipped with swimming goggles to protect their eyes. Illustration photo

13. Swim for a moderate amount of time and remember to drink plenty of water.

14. You should not go swimming if you have diarrhea, because it is easy to pass the disease to others.

15. When you get out of the water, wash your eyes, nose, and ears with sterile saline, dry your ears, and rinse your mouth with salt water.

16. If you notice any unusual symptoms after swimming, see a doctor.

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