Swimming Pool Infections

Greetings everyone it's a long weekend again in my place and moments like this is the best chance for me to interact with my friends online. Truly i was priviledged to be able to communicate while sitting under the grape tree by the beach, the place is breezy and the sky is clear. Wi-fi signal is excellent here, oh what a life....

Im just wondrin if the sea water can make me sick too, maybe not in this clear and clean carribean island, cuz i've been snorkling here and there over and over again and the well protected sea is a paradise for for me, yes nature and creation is beautiful for those who know how to appreciate.

This time i will discuss topics about swimming pools and spas. Not all can afford to have one because it is more affordable to use the public pools. Few months ago i managed to complete a course in pool and spa operation from a seminar conducted by the National Swimming Pool Foundation ( NSPF ) and i was taught how to properly manage a pool. After that course i started to worry about my family, my kids who often use the pool and i felt that i have the responsibility to share the information to others, wheather they like it or not.

What should we need to know about pool operation? I will try to share some of the information and will do it in a question and answer way.

Imagine drinking contaminated water, after one hour or more you will be sick and worst you will die ( sadly ) . That is bacteria or virus multiiplyng in numbers millions of times invading your system. Imagine a public pool or a  water resort with hundreds of user that is infected just an hour ago, how bad the water can be after few more hours, after days and weeks if not properly treated. Swimming pool is a killer monster if the operator doesn't have the right knowledge and expertise.

Q: What are the parasites that can infect a pool?

A: Protozoa, this are microorganisms that can make a human sick once ingested. This parasite will live in the intestine of its host and can be transmitted thru the stool. If you have a diarrhea please do not use the pool and if you see a kid swimming and a stool is floating behind, call the lifeguard and close the pool right away and the pool must be treated.

Q: What are the common protozoa parasites?

A: Cryptosporidium or crypto and Giardia

Crypto - ordinary water treatment can not easily destroy or kill Crypto infact even a chlorine disinfection will not easily work. I was told that ingestion of 10 organisms can result in cryptosporidiosis, a treatable desease but lethal if the patient is not treated properly. Upon ingestion the crypto will incubate up to 7 days and  the patient will start to feel the symptoms. Study shows that a single bowel movement of an infected person contain one billion organisms and the patient keep excreting the parasite up to 50 days after diarrheal has ceased. To inactivate this one, the pool has to be equipped with ultraviolet light, ozone and chlorine dioxide. It takes more than week ( 10.6 days ) to deactivate the parasite @ 1ppm chlorine, 7.5pH @ 75degrees F according to study.

Giardia - this one have a similar ill effect to that of the crypto but easier to treat. 1 ppm of free chlorine within 45 minutes at pH of 7.5 or less is enough to disinfect the pool.Q: What are the bacteria that can infect a pool?

A: Escherichia coli  - E. coli O157:H7 is just one strain of the bacterium Escherichia coli, this strain produces powerful toxin and can cause a person to have severe illnesses. We often hear E.coli virus in the news, they are likely talking about this strain E. coli O157:H7. Upon ingestion it normally takes up to 4 days and the patient will start to feel stomack pain, vommitting and diarrhea follows with blood. Very dangerous to kids. The pool can be easily treated by proper level of chlorine level.

A: Shingella - this one is present in the diarrheal stool of an infected person, even if they have been treated for two weeks. Weak persons like the young kids and toddlers are likely the ones that will be severely affected and they will feel stomach pain and bloody diarrheal discharge. Hospitalization is recommended and the symptoms will make a persons sick  in just a day or two after ingesting contaminated water. This too can be easily treated by proper chlorine level in the pool.

What are the viruses that can infect a pool?

A: Norovirus - this virus can cause gastroenteritis, 24-48 hrs after ingestion. Sometimes people additionally have fever, muscle and stomach pains. Children experience more vommiting than adults. Normally our immune system will help to fight the virus but as of now, as i was told, there is no available antiviral medication against this not even a vaccine to prevent the infection.

A: Adenoviruses - this are respiratory illnesses and could also cause gastroenteritis, eye infection and skin rashes. Maintaining adequate levels of chlorination is necessary to prevent the outbreaks of this virus.

A: Hepatitis A - this virus attacks the liver, amonng the different types of hepatitis ( a,b,c ) only Hepatitis A has the potential to infect a pool the other two can be transmitted thru blood. Hepatitis is a common infection specially in the Philippines, and the patient cometimes can not feel the symptoms right away as some people can be ill up to 6 months. Naturally, our liver can fully recover after treatment. Study shows that 1ppm of chlorine level for 16 minutes can deactivate the virus in the pool.

Pool operation is critical and requires a responsible maintenance. The government must be able to implement strict rules, policies and trainings about this. I've learned this thing just recently and i never heard any group or agencies that regulates pool operations in the Philippines before but i might be wrong that is why i am encouraging members to participate in discussions like this so we will be able to inform others and warn them if necessary.

There are lots of things to know about pool operation, this is an industry that requires lots of responsibility. Information such as design and sizing can be acquired by formal training from the National Swimming Pool Foundation. Please send updates thru this forum for the benefit of all.