Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes diarrhea, as well as the bacteria that cause Legionnaire’s disease and a second bacteria called Pseudomonas. The CDC says that Cryptosporidium caused 58 percent of outbreaks in which a germ could be identified, and 89 percent of the illnesses. Cryptosporidium can survive for seven or more days and is difficult to kill. The CDC states that it takes a lot of chlorine for a lot of time to kill Cryptosporidium.
Cryptosporidium is spread by a diarrheal incident — yes, you read that right — and it can be hard to see that happen in a pool full of kids. The CDC recommends that parents shouldn’t let kids go into pools if they’ve had diarrhea recently, and babies need even closer watching. If there is a diarrheal incident, the pool operator is supposed to clear the pool and flush it with extremely high levels of chlorine or bromine to kill the parasite. However, that does not always happen. Cryptosporidium infects people when they swallow contaminated pool water.
The CDC states that it is very important for people to shower and to not pee or defecate in pools. Proper showering can not only remove residual fecal matter that could get into a pool, but it takes away the oil, sweat and dirt that react with chlorine and make it less effective. The CDC states that the problem with peeing in a pool and not showering before you go into the pool is that urine and sweat and dirt combine with chlorine in the water... and that reduces the chlorine's effectiveness. The CDC reports that urine, not chlorine, in a pool is what makes people’s eyes sting after swimming.
The CDC notes that people should keep in mind that bacteria can grow into mats called biofilms, which then resist the effects of chlorine and other disinfectants. These slimy biofilms typically have to be scrubbed off.
Be smart this summer, and be safe!
From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),
Paul J. Staso
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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek
Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
- United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
- Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
- Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
- Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
- The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
- Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
- Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
- Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
- Some Cycling Moments From The Past
