Introduction
Hepatitis is caused by inflammation of the liver. Due to this inflammation, swelling happens when tissues of the body are infected and injured; this can damage the liver and affect how well the liver functions. Hepatitis can be both acute and chronic. This can occur due to toxins, some medications, and heavy alcohol intake. Viruses are responsible for this condition. There are many types of hepatitis, like A, B, C, D, and E.
Swimming is the most loved recreational summer activity. It ranks second most popular exercise activity. Yet, in this age of seemingly mysterious illness that infects every age, sex, and race, sharing the same body-enveloping fluid as strangers can initiate fear of communal waters.
What Is the Connection Between Hepatitis and Swimming Pools?
The swimming pool can act as a major source of contagious illnesses in the water. An increasing number of people are worried about contracting the hepatitis virus by swimming in a pool because it is one of the most common types of infectious diseases in existence today. However, there is only one hepatitis-related danger to swimming in the pool, and this infection is preventable.
How Are Infectious Diseases From Swimming Pools Spread?
Swimming-related illnesses can occur by swallowing water, breathing the mists, or aerosols contaminated with germs. Some diseases occur by having contact with chemicals in the pool water or evaporating from the water and turning it into gas. Individuals who are already sick with diarrhea or other infectious diseases can spread the disease to others through recreational water.
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These individuals can contaminate the water with germs when a tiny amount of poop or their urinal gets into it. If someone swallows this contaminated water, they can get infected.
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Individuals can get skin, ear, eye, respiratory, and other infections.
What Is the Risk of Hepatitis?
Around 10 % of people infected with the hepatitis virus are unsure of how they got infected and contracted them. Bodily fluids can transmit the different strains of hepatitis illness. The most common three most prevalent hepatitis viruses that potentially can get infected by the contaminated pool are:
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Hepatitis A: This virus is commonly transmitted by fecal matter. This hepatitis strain could become a problem in swimming pools.
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Hepatitis B: Transmitting this strain of hepatitis is not concerned with swimming pools as this type involves blood-to-blood contact.
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Hepatitis C: Transmitting this type is not a concern for swimmers as they involve blood-to-blood contact.
Which Hepatitis Strain Is Caused by Swimming Pools?
The most common hepatitis strain caused by contaminated swimming pool water is hepatitis A. This condition affects the liver. This strain is primarily transmitted through fecal waste. It can be dangerous in recreational activities like swimming, as in these areas, if the infected individuals have an unexpected bowel movement in a pool or the nearby sewage system is overloaded due to heavy rainfall or flooding that may flood swimming waters.
Hepatitis A is a self-limiting viral infection of the liver that often does not result in chronic illness. Even while hepatitis A causes liver inflammation, most people's livers can heal completely without suffering any long-term harm. However, hepatitis A infection increases the risk of serious illness in patients with chronic liver disease. Antibiotics are ineffective against this sickness since a virus brings it on. After the infection with the virus, within a few weeks, certain symptoms develop. They are as follows:
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Nausea
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Vomiting.
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Diarrhea.
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Loss of appetite.
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Dark urine.
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Rash.
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Fatigue.
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Low-grade fever.
Hepatitis A transmitted primarily by a fecal-oral route. This can occur due to swallowing pool water that is contaminated with feces. Hepatitis A is a potential problem when many individuals congregate where overcrowding and inadequate sanitation exist. They can easily spread by raw sewage. This can result in danger to the swimming environment.
How to Prevent Getting Hepatitis From the Swimming Pool?
Along with getting vaccinated for the hepatitis A vaccine, many ways can minimize the risk and chances of swimming pool infection. For example, proper chlorination to kill water-borne germs, proper personal hygiene, and good sanitation practices in and around the swimming pool can give a healthy swimming experience. The steps to prevent infection through contamination are:
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Disinfecting - Water filtration is not effective in removing contamination from the pool in a timely manner. This can be achieved by disinfectant that can kill pathogens in water when it comes in contact with it. In most places, the disinfectant system relies on chlorine. Chlorine takes at least 16 minutes to kill the hepatitis A-causing virus in the pool where there is no use of stabilizers like cyanuric acid. In addition, all pools should maintain a strict, stringent policy for water disinfection if any fecal matter is detected.
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Evaluate the Pool - It is important to detect pool hygiene before diving in. The pool's water should be clean and clear, and the painted stripes on the bottom should be clearly visible. The walls of the pool should be smooth, not sticky and slippery. Pump and filtration system noise should be heard to confirm the pool equipment is working. A well-chlorinated pool has a little odor, but any other odor other than that should be rectified. A heavy chemical odor is due to chloramine and not chlorine. This odor is caused by harmful chloramines formed in water due to a mix of chlorine and contaminants. Chloramines are not effective in disinfecting swimming pools.
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Never Swallow - Hepatitis A spreads mainly through the fecal-oral route, and infection occurs mainly by swallowing contaminated pool water. Therefore, children and adults should be trained not to swallow pool water and avoid getting it in their mouths.
Conclusion
Swimming is a well-accepted and popular recreational activity; as a prime prevention method, individuals with hepatitis can restrict swimming during the infection. Make sure the swimming pool and surroundings have good hygiene. Especially individuals who are detected with other medical and living conditions should be more preventive while swimming in the pool. Never engulf water from pools. Vaccines are bliss in case of infectious disease. Get vaccinated to be safe from infections in life.
