May 22-28, 2023 has been designated as Healthy and Safe Swimming Week to highlight the roles that swimmers, parents, aquatics and beach staff, residential pool owners, and public health officials play in preventing disease outbreaks, drowning, and pool chemical injuries.

Diarrhea and Swimming

Which germs cause diarrhea?

• Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium)
• Giardia
• Shigella
• Norovirus
• E. coli O157

These germs can survive in properly chlorinated water for minutes to days, depending on the germ.

Take the following steps when swimming or playing in the water:

• Stay out of the water if you are sick with diarrhea.
  • If you have Crypto, don’t go back in the water until 2 weeks after your diarrhea has completely stopped.
• Don’t poop in the water.
• Don’t swallow the water.
• Take kids on bathroom breaks and check diapers every hour.
  • Change diapers away from the water to help keep germs out of the water. Wash your hands after.

For more information on Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/safe-swimming-week/index.html