Are swimming pools filled with diseases?

(MENAFN) Swimming, possibly one of humanity’s oldest recreational activities, dates back thousands of years. The earliest known swimming pool was built around 3000 BCE in the Indus Valley. By the 19th century, public pools began appearing in Britain and the United States, bringing new challenges around maintaining cleanliness and preventing infections. Even today, both public and private pools can become breeding grounds for illness if not properly cared for.

Swimming offers numerous health benefits, including a full-body workout and cardiovascular improvement, all while being gentle on joints and bones. However, there have been occasional links between swimming pools and outbreaks of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. Even well-maintained pools rely heavily on chlorine to keep harmful organisms at bay—sometimes more than we realize.

As summer approaches in the northern hemisphere, it’s worth considering what unseen guests might be sharing the pool water with swimmers.

Over the past 25 years, swimming pools have been the leading source of waterborne intestinal disease outbreaks in England and Wales. The main offender is the parasite Cryptosporidium.

This organism can cause a stomach illness lasting up to two weeks, with symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Around 40% of those affected may experience a return of symptoms after the initial episode subsides.

Most of the time, these intestinal infections resolve naturally in healthy individuals, according to experts from environmental health research groups. However, they pose greater risks to young children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.

MENAFN01072025000045017281ID1109746591