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 very 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 about 30 to 60 minutes a day, 3 to 4 days a week can reduce the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure.

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 at public swimming pools. Illustration photo

When suffering from conjunctivitis, the eyes feel like there is a foreign object inside, tears flow a lot, there is a lot of pus, 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 swimming pool water containing bacteria and mold easily 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 diseasesand asthma:Chlorine in swimming pool water easily reacts 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 frequently exposed to chloramines are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop sinus infections, sore throats, and chronic colds, 3 to 4 times more likely than others. 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 at 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 for drinking water and swimming pool water. Therefore, a person with diarrhea can easily contaminate a swimming pool.

If there are too many people in the pool, the water filter 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 is pale, sometimes blisters appear on the edges of the toes. Due to severe itching, the patient has to scratch continuously, causing the blisters to break, erode, ulcerate, and easily become infected with secondary bacteria, 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 off, is slightly red, very itchy, and has 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 (appears in thin skin areas such as the inside of the arms, armpits, groin, and inner thighs) with typical symptoms and red, itchy patches, possibly with small blisters on the red skin. 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-induced disease.

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 infected 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 notes khi 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 algae 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 at a time. Children over 5 years old should only swim for less than 60 minutes.

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

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

6. Choose a time to swim 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 swimming 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 swimwear. 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. Don't go swimming if you have diarrhea, as it can easily pass on to others.

15. When getting out of the water, immediately wash your face with soap, 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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