Germs, or Recreational Water Illnesses, are often found in the places we swim. These germs can cause gastrointestinal illness that cause diarrhea & vomiting. Diarrhea is the most common recreational water illness. People who have diarrhea can spread it to others when they swim.
Three of the most common germs that cause waterborne gastrointestinal illnesses in Virginia are:
Other germs that cause waterborne gastrointestinal illness include:
Norovirus
- Norovirus usually starts suddenly and causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. The virus is found in the stool and vomit of infected people and spreads very easily from person to person.
- People with norovirus are most contagious from the moment they start feeling sick until about three days after they feel better. Some people can continue to spread the virus for up to a month after they recover.
- You can get norovirus while swimming if you swallow contaminated water or get it in your mouth.
- If you or your family is sick with norovirus, stay home and don’t go swimming.
Shigella
- Shigella is a bacterium that causes shigellosis.
- Anyone can get shigellosis, but it is most common in young children. People who get shigellosis may have diarrhea, fever, and sometimes blood or mucus in their stool. Some people may also feel sick to their stomach or vomit, and others may not have any symptoms at all.
- People with Shigella pass the bacteria in their stool. This can spread to surfaces, food, or water. While swimming, a person can get infected if they swallow contaminated water.
- If you or your family is sick with shigella, stay home and don’t go swimming.
E. coli
- E. coli are bacteria that normally live in the intestines of people and animals. Most types are harmless, but some can make people sick. These harmful types can cause stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and chills. People can get E. coli infections from swimming in water that has been contaminated with stool.
- People who are infected with E. coli pass the bacteria in their stool. This can then spread to surfaces, food, or water. When swimming, a person can get sick by swallowing contaminated water.
- If you or your family are sick with E. coli, stay home and don’t go swimming.
Algal toxins
- Algal toxins come from harmful algal blooms. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) happen when certain bacteria in the water - called cyanobacteria or blue-green algae - grow too much.
- If someone swallows water with these toxins, it can cause stomach problems like pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Touching the water can lead to skin or eye irritation, tingling or numbness around the mouth or fingers, or dizziness. Breathing in mist from the water may also irritate the lungs.
- HABs can be dangerous. Avoid swimming in water that looks green, red, or brown, or if there’s a posted swimming advisory.
- Learn more about HABs on VDH’s Water Borne Hazards Control webpage.
Germs can get into the water in different ways:
- When they wash off of swimmers’ bodies
- When swimmers have diarrhea in the water
- When rainwater washes germs into beaches or swimming areas
How can swimmers protect themselves?
- Don’t swim or play in water if you or your child has been sick with diarrhea in the past 2 weeks.
- Don’t swallow the pool water. Try to keep water out of your mouth.
- Shower BEFORE and AFTER swimming.