Even if you try not to think about it, deep down, you probably know that swimming pools are disgusting. But did you know you're almost certainly part of the problem?
| Headlines for a healthier you | | | Anisa Arsenault, Associate Editorial Director | | | Even if you try not to think about it, deep down, you probably know that swimming pools are disgusting. But did you know you're almost certainly part of the problem?
Your hair alone can introduce 10 million microbes into a pool. A drop of your spit? 8 million microbes. Some microbes commonly found in pools are harmless, but others, like the parasite Cryptosporidium, can cause waterborne diarrhea. And chlorine can't always kill it.
One simple move can help keep pools clean and swimmers healthy. Showering for just 60 seconds ahead of jumping in the water can remove most unwanted germs from your skin. | | Know More | | If a pool smells strongly of chlorine, that doesn't mean it's extra clean. It means it's emitting high levels of a pungent substance called chloramine, which forms when chlorine comes into contact with substances like dirt, sweat, and urine. | | Feel Better | | Health experts want you to enjoy swimming. The folks we interviewed said as long as you rinse off first, avoid pools when you're sick, and try to keep as much pool water out of your mouth as possible, you can significantly reduce the spread of germs. | | |  | What Else Should You Know | | | Survey data from the U.K. shows that sore throat was the highest reported COVID symptom among 17,500 infected participants last week. Experts say that doesn't necessarily mean BA.5 is more likely to give you a sore throat than any other variant. It's just how our immune systems are reacting to COVID at this stage of the pandemic. | | | | | The CDC recommends a five day isolation period for anyone who tests positive for COVID. But if you're feeling up for it, is there any harm in spending some of this time with someone else who has COVID? Experts say it's safe and won't make your infection any longer or worse. | | | |  | In Other News | | | | |
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment