Our health condition depends on the level of exposure to harmful occurrences, our immune system, and the general maintenance we give our body.
We appear almost naked during our swimming sessions, and our skin comes in contact with the swimming pool’s water. Any unfavorable water condition can affect your health and wellbeing, and you will end up with mild reactions or severe ones in rare cases.
It is an excellent question to ask if you can catch a cold from a swimming pool?
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Can You Catch A Cold From Swimming In The Pool?
Yes, you can. In the absence of a swimming pool heater during cold weather conditions, you might develop a cold during your swimming period if only other conditions are met. When the chlorine applied to destroy germs is not enough, germs will build up over time.
Anyone who swims in the pool will be vulnerable to germs. Germs responsible for cold can be contacted there. You only need to swallow a drop of the contaminated water to have it in your body system.
Feel relaxed; there are few cases of gross illness you can catch when you swim. But how don’t you become part of the few victims? Let’s get started.
Ways To Get A Cold From A Swimming Pool
Cold is a virus rather than a self-initiation after taking cold baths, as thought by many. Your approaches to resolving it will be different from antibacterial drugs. Below is an explanation of ways to get a cold from a swimming pool:
Distorted water chemical condition: Regular maintenance of the swimming pool makes the chemical condition of the water be in an unharmed level. Chlorine kills off germs.
- Chemicals such as cyanuric acid act as protectors to reduce the rate of chlorine decrease in the water due to sunlight exposure. There is a required pH of 7.2 – 7.6. When there’s a distortion in the pH towards the alkalinity, there will be increased growth of germs, fungi, bacteria, viruses, pathogens, and even algae in the water. If you are swimming in a pool with distorted water chemical conditions, you are at risk of getting a cold.
- The cold water temperature: The swimming pool runs at a temperature lower than the average degree in a region with low temperature. In this case, many swimming pool owners turn on their pool’s heater. Swimming in a pool with a low temperature triggers your body system to respond to the temperature change. You might start shivering, and if you are not quick to dry up when you get out of the pool, the breeze will make your body colder. This wouldn’t directly cause a cold, but if there’s an existing underlying cold virus in you, it will trigger it to manifest.
- Swimming after heavy rain: Environmental influences like heavy rainfall, sunlight, and wild storm affect the water condition of the pool. After heavy rain, it is not advised to swim because the rain would contribute to chemical distortion. In cases where a flood enters your swimming pool or the storm gathers twigs, debris, and dirt in your pool, take your time to stabilize the chemical proportion.
- Swimming while being sick: There are possibilities that you will swallow drops of water while swimming. When you are ill or under medications, your immune system already faces issues stabilizing your health and wellbeing. When you now introduce more germs into your body, it might not be capable of fighting against them as it usually does in a normal state. This makes you more prone to catching a cold. Even if you desire to swim in a pool when sick, be cautious.
How To Avoid Getting Cold Or Sick From A Swimming Pool
- Shower and wash your hand before and after swimming: Having a shower or a total clean-up eliminates the chances of transmitting germs contacted during swimming into your body system. Do this whenever you’re up to swim.
- Keep your ear dry: You might not be able to prevent this while swimming, but take your time to dry it manually after swimming. Tint your head with the sides down, and trapped water will flow out. Do this for the two sides.
- Avoid swallowing water: Swallowing water directly injects germs into your body system. Avoid the possibility of its happenings. Limit your speeches while swimming and limit your water splashing even when you’re thrilled.
- Don’t use the pool with an open wound: You are not only infecting the water with the wound but also limiting the fast healing of the wound. Open wounds are more prone to contact germs than normal skin.
- Stay off crowded swimming pool: Overcrowded swimming pool runs a risk of imbalance water condition. This usually happens in public pools or when a pool party is thrown. Many people aren’t hygienic, and they will contribute germs they have to the pool.
- Don’t swim after heavy rainfall: Floods and heavy rain contribute to loads of germs and foreign particles. Stay off the swimming pool, except maintenance actions have been taken.
- Proper maintenance of the swimming pool: Everything discussed comes back to an imbalance of chemical proportion. Adequate maintenance makes the water harmless and free to be used without problems.
Other common sicknesses related to a swimming pool
- Swimmer’s ear: While swimming, the ear is exposed to having water get inside. Regularly, the water flows back, but sometimes, it doesn’t. When water is trapped in your auditory canal, the area affected becomes a host of fungi and bacteria. This is because the presence of water makes the area a favorable breeding space. People who experience itching, pain, or have pus coming out of their ears should consult medical care centers as soon as possible.
- Diarrhea: Viral gastroenteritis is the primary cause of Diarrhoea, and it can be contracted from an Unhealthy swimming pool. In some cases, this intestinal flu can be bacteria-oriented. The affected will have more loose and watery stooling. Medical attention should be sorted because it weakens the victim as it persists.
- Nausea: The urge to vomit doesn’t necessarily come from a virus or bacteria; sometimes, it’s a natural response to unusual conditions. Swimmers experience Nausea after sessions in a pool with a high chlorine level or an unstable water condition. The sight of algae blooms in the pool makes some people feel nauseous.
- Respiratory infections: If germs get down through your olfactory lobe, down to your lung and other respiratory organs, you are at risk of infections. It might start as chest pain or a little difficulty in breathing. Legionella is one of the most common respiratory germs found in swimming pools. People who contacted it are prone to legionella infections.
Final Thoughts
Catching a cold can come in different ways. You can contact cold germs from a swimming pool in cases where the water condition is below the required level. If you experience flu-like symptoms, fevers, ear pains, diarrhea, coughs, shortness of breath, or any other signs related to swimming pool infections, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Don’t underestimate any symptoms.
