Experts say you won’t catch it from the water but you could from the air.
We’re heading into yet another summer living with the coronavirus and some things have changed. The seriousness of the pandemic is definitely waning from the forefront of people’s minds and it may seem like the virus is no longer much of a concern. But that doesn’t mean COVID-19 has disappeared entirely from our environments. The virus is lingering and living in people as you read this, with another potential wave just around the corner.
By this point we all know you can catch COVID-19 pretty easily by spending time with others who are infected, in enclosed spaces. What about time spent at the pool, however?
Here’s the official scoop and how to stay safe while cooling off.
No, not through the water, officials say
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 doesn’t spread through the water when you’re swimming. This being said, it does spread amongst people who are in close contact, as mentioned above. For example, you could catch the virus from someone else while at a public pool if you spent time in close proximity in the change rooms.
Related: Why the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been limited
For this reason, it’s wise to wear a mask when you’re out of the water, and to practice social distancing when you’re enjoying a day at the pool.
If you can spend time at an outdoor facility, even better.
You can catch other swimming-related illnesses, however
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the pool is an ideal place for some other illnesses, besides COVID-19, to spread. If you’ve ever developed a nasty rash or a case of diarrhea after a day of public swimming, you know this to be true.
Most pools are kept in good condition with adequate levels of chlorine being added to the water to kill off pesky germs. About 10% or more of public pools aren’t properly maintained, one CDC study found, however, and so it can be good to practice some caution.
Some common illnesses spread in swimming water include:
- Acute gastrointestinal illness (this causes vomiting and diarrhea)
- Some respiratory illnesses
- Rashes
Experts say that if you or someone you know has had diarrhea at any time in the past two weeks, you (or they) should really refrain from swimming because you can spread it to others, even if you’ve gotten better already.
What’s also important to know is that one particular type of parasite called Cryptosporidium (Crypto) can cause serious sickness in people who have a weakened immune system, such as those living with an organ transplant or cancer. Crypto can actually survive in water that’s been treated properly for a matter of days, and so there’s no real way around this one but to stay out of public swimming pools if you know you’re at risk of developing a serious case.
To keep yourself safe, never swallow swimming water, and dry your ears out when you exit the water. Dive in and have while staying cool under the sun!
photo credits: Kateryna Mostova/Shutterstock.com
