Pools and Parasites: Keeping Your Child Safe - The Children's Digestive Health and Nutrition Foundation (CDHNF) Warns Parents about Dangerous Waterborne Bacteria and Parasites Peak During Late Summer

Pools and Parasites: Keeping Your Child Safe

The Children's Digestive Health and Nutrition Foundation (CDHNF) Warns Parents about Dangerous Waterborne Bacteria and Parasites Peak During Late Summer

As the temperature rises this summer, millions of families will try to beat the heat at pools and water parks. In fact, there are an estimated 400 million pool visits each year. But what many parents in search of summer fun may not know is that their children are often sharing the water with harmful parasites and bacteria that can cause serious gastrointestinal problems. Symptoms of these illnesses can range from diarrhea (lasting about 7 days), abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes a low- grade fever.

According to the Children's Digestive Health and Nutrition Foundation (CDHNF) and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, infants and children are especially at risk for infection from waterborne bacteria and parasites. Examples include E. coli, Shigella sonnei, and Cryptosporidium, which can cause serious illnesses and sometimes are lifethreatening. Bacteria such a Cryptosporidium are resistant to chlorine, and an outbreak in just one pool can quickly sicken hundreds and thousands of people.

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