Public Pools: What’s Swimming With You?

Swimming is not only excellent exercise, but it can be an enjoyable way to relax.  Summertime is swimming time and many people head out to a local swim-spot everyday to take a dip.  But, what’s lurking in that pool or lake?  You might not want to know.

Public Pools

Public pools can be a breeding ground for infectious disease.  When many people congregate in one place in the warm, moist weather, bacteria can thrive.  Many people believe that chlorine can kill anything, and for the most part, this is true.  However, the chlorine levels must be high enough to kill bacteria and bugs and this requires diligence on the part of the swim facility.  Some bugs can live for 15 minutes, some for 3 hours.  One particular parasite can live for up to 10 days in a chlorinated pool; the Crypto bug, which can cause severe gastrointestinal issues.  Over-chlorination can be a problem as well, causing rashes, breathing problems, nausea and vomiting.  Plus, the water can be cold!

Lakes

In fresh water lakes, there is no chlorine to kill the germs.  People can transmit viruses (like norovirus), bacteria (like E.coli), and staph infections (like MRSA).  Someone who has been ill can begin to feel better and jump in the lake, possibly contaminating everyone else who is jumping in with them.  Though rare, Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba found in warm-water lakes that can prove to be fatal if it enters the body through the nose.  It’s true that many people swim safely without ever getting an infection, but why risk it?  And again, the water can be cold!

Others

Let us not forget the many other people who are swimming with you.  Studies show that people, adults included, urinate in pools and lakes.  Little kids zoom through the water, screaming at ear-shattering decibels and splashing everyone who crosses their path.  Sometimes you might see a used band-aid float by.

Enough!

If this isn’t enough to make you think about purchasing your own at-home swim spa, then what is?  More and more people are realizing the benefits of owning their own swim spa and sales have increased.  More energy-efficient than a full-sized pool, and much easier to take care of, swim spas are the perfect answer to staying healthy and staying safe.  A swim spa can be excellent for exercise, wonderful for relaxation, lovely for life.  No swimming with anything that you don’t want there.  And the best part; no cold water!  End2End spa covers keep the warmth in and the cold out.  Simply uncover your swim spa before use and enjoy the benefits of swimming at home.

Consider owning your own swim spa today, and when you do, be sure to check out the best in home spa covers available at End2End today.