Hotel swimming pools and bathtubs can pose a major health risk, especially when they are not properly sanitized or when many people use them at the same time and can result in skin or intestinal diseases such as giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis or ringworm.
Before going to the pool, for example, you need to pay attention to some factors that may indicate if the pool is proper or unfit for use, such as water features and presence of any stain on the tile, for example. It is also important to avoid swallowing water to avoid maximum disease.
Major diseases
1. Cryptosporidiasis
Cryptosporidiosis or cryptosporidiosis is one of the major diseases that can be acquired due to the use of poorly maintained swimming pools or tubs. This disease is caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium sp ., Which can be found in pool or bath water due to poor sanitation or people's stool, and is more common in people who attend public swimming pools with poor conditions. maintenance.
Infection with this parasite causes severe gastroenteritis, mainly characterized by chronic and persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fever and weight loss.
What to do: It is recommended to go to the infectologist or general practitioner for diagnosis and treatment. In addition, it is recommended to rest and improve hygiene conditions.
2. Otitis externa
Otitis externa is characterized by inflammation of the ears that can be caused by bacteria, which can proliferate easily in the ear due to the humid and warm environment. Thus, external otitis caused is more common to occur in people who spend much time in the pool.
The main symptoms of otitis externa are ear pain, itching of the ear and ear, redness and swelling of the area. Learn more about otitis externa.
What to do: It is important to go to the otolaryngologist when the first symptoms of otitis appear so that treatment with antibiotics can be done, which should be used according to the medical recommendation.
3. Giardiasis
Giardiasis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia, which can be found in water, especially in places where sanitation is precarious or non-existent, and enters the body of the person through the ingestion of contaminated water. Infection by this parasite is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps and abdominal bloating. Get to know other symptoms of giardiasis.
What to do: If you suspect Giardia lamblia infection, it is important to go to the general practitioner or infectologist for the diagnosis and start treatment, which is usually done with the use of Metronidazole. See which are the main remedies for each type of worm.
4. Inguinal candidiasis
Inguinal candidiasis or candidiasis in the groin corresponds to the proliferation of fungi of the species Candida sp in the groin, resulting in itching and redness of the region. This type of fungus can proliferate easily in humid environments, and is common to be acquired in poorly sanitized pools or bathtubs.
What to do: In such cases, it is important to consult a dermatologist for diagnostic tests and treatment can be started.
5. Mycoses
Mycoses are diseases caused by fungi that, in order to proliferate, need a humid and warm environment, and the pool and bath are great places for their proliferation. The main symptoms of ringworm are itchy skin and the presence of scaly lesions that can appear on the face, arms, groin and scalp, for example. Learn more about mycoses.
What to do: When you notice characteristic signs of fungal infection, it is important to go to the dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment, which is usually done with the use of antifungal medicines in the form of ointment or cream, for example.
6. Legionellosis
Legionellosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophilia, which develops in moist, poorly watered environments. Thus, the water and the edges of the pool and the baths provide a great place for the proliferation of this bacterium, which can enter the body through the ingestion of contaminated water, for example. Learn how Legionella contamination occurs.
Infection with Legionella pneumophilia can be perceived through some symptoms such as cough, chest pain, high fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Here's how to identify legionellosis.
What to do: It is important that at the first symptoms of the infection, the person should be referred to the hospital for tests that can confirm the diagnosis. Treatment for this disease is done in a hospital environment and with the use of antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin and Azithromycin, for example. Learn how legionellosis treatment is done.
7. Chemical irritation
Products that are used to clean the bath or pool or to purify the water can cause irritation to the skin and mucous membranes of people, resulting in itching, burning in the eyes or in the genital regions and redness in the skin.
What to do: As soon as the first signs of skin irritation appear, you must exit the pool or bath and bathe under running water. If the symptoms do not go away, it is recommended to take an antiallergic and go to the allergist if the symptoms are frequent and constant.
How to avoid
To avoid diseases that can be contracted in the pool or in the hotel tub, it is important to pay attention to the general state of the environment:
- Check that the water is clear and you can see the bottom of the pool, for example;
- Make sure the tiles are clean without any sign of a darker stain. In addition, the pool tiles can not be slippery or sticky;
- Check if the water filtering motor is working, in the case of swimming pools;
- Check if there is any stain on the tub.
It is also important to avoid swallowing any amount of water and do not go to the pool if you are sick. In addition, in the case of swimming pools, the more people attending at the same time, the greater the risk of illness, so if possible, avoid frequent swimming pools that are too full or that do not seem to have adequate maintenance.
