Hotel pools and spas can pose a significant health risk, especially when not properly cleaned or when many people use them at the same time, which can lead to skin or gut diseases such as giardiasis, cryptosporidosis, or ringworm .
Before going to the pool, for example, it is necessary to pay attention to certain factors that may indicate whether the pool is adequate or not, such as the characteristics of the water and the presence of stains on the tile, for example.Avoid swallowing water to avoid as many diseases as possible.
- Cryptosporidosis or cryptosporidiosis is one of the main diseases that can be contracted by the use of unhealthy pools or bathtubs.
- This disease is caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium sp.
- Which can be found in the water of swimming pools or bathtubs for poor hygiene conditions.
- Or remnants of people’s faeces.
- Which is more common in people who go to public pools with poor health conditions.
Infection with this parasite causes severe gastroenteritis, characterized mainly by chronic and persistent diarrhea, as well as abdominal pain, nausea, fever and weight loss.
What to do: It is recommended to go to the infectious disease specialist or general doctor for diagnosis and treatment, in addition, it is recommended to rest and improve hygiene conditions.
External otitis is characterized by inflammation of the ears that can be caused by bacteria, which can easily proliferate in the ear due to the humid and warm environment, so that external otitis caused is more common in people who remain in the ear for a long time. the pool.
The main symptoms of external otitis are ear pain, itching in the ear and ear, redness and swelling of the area.Learn more about external otitis.
What to do: It is important to go to the otolaryngologist when the first symptoms of otitis appear so that antibiotic treatment can be performed, which should be used in accordance with medical advice.
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 that enters the person’s body by ingestion of contaminated water, infection by this parasite is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, cramps and abdominal swelling.Know the other symptoms of giardiasis.
What to do: If Giardia lamblia infection is suspected, it is important to consult a generalist or infectious disease specialist to make the diagnosis and start treatment, which is usually done with the use of metronidazole.remedies for each type of worm.
Inguinal thrush or inguinal thrush corresponds to the proliferation of fungi of the species Candida sp in the groin, causing itching and redness of the region, this type of fungus can easily proliferate in humid environments and is common in poorly disinfected pools or bathtubs.
What to do: In these cases it is important to consult a dermatologist for diagnostic tests and treatment can be started.
The fungus is a disease caused by fungi that, for its proliferation, need a humid and warm environment, with the pool and bathtub being suitable places for its proliferation. The main symptoms of yen are itchy skin and the presence of flaking lesions that can appear on the face, arms, english and scalp, for example.Learn more about mushrooms.
What to do: When you notice characteristic signs of fungal infection, it is important to go to the dermatologist to make the diagnosis and start treatment, which is usually done with the use of antifungal medications in the form of ointment or cream, for example.
Legionellosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophilia, which develops in environments with water, moist and unsasured, so water and the edges of the pool and bathtubs are a privileged place for the proliferation of this bacterium, which can enter the body through the ingestion of contaminated water, for example.Find out how Legionella contamination occurs.
Legionella pneumophilia infection can be noticed through certain symptoms, such as cough, chest pain, high fever, vomiting and diarrhea.Find out how to identify legionnaires’ disease.
What to do: It is important that as soon as the first symptoms of the infection appear, the person is referred to the hospital for tests confirming the diagnosis, treatment of this disease is done in a hospital setting and with the use of antibiotics, such as Ciprofloxacin and Azithromycin, for example.Find out how legionnaires’ disease is treated.
Products used to cleanse the bath or pool or purify water can cause irritation of people’s skin and mucous membranes, causing itching, burns to the eyes or genital areas, and redness of the skin.
What to do: As soon as the first signs of skin irritation appear, you should leave the pool or bathtub and bathe in running water.If symptoms do not go away, it is recommended to take an allergy and go to the allergylogist if symptoms are frequent and constant.
To avoid diseases that can be contracted in the hotel’s swimming pool or jacuzzi, it is important to pay attention to the general state of the environment:
It is also important to avoid swallowing water and not go to the pool if you are sick, in addition, in the case of swimming pools, the more people frequent at the same time, the greater the risk of getting sick, so, if possible, avoid frequenting pools that are too crowded or apparently do not have sufficient maintenance.