With the summer season, especially families with children began to head to the sea or pools. In crowded pools, the possibility of individuals contracting infectious diseases increased. Thus, the question ‘which is healthier, the pool or the sea?’ question was included. Warning that the open sea is healthier, Professor of the Department of Infectious Diseases. Dr. Alper Şener said, “No matter how regular the chlorination or ozonation periods of the pools are and a certain amount of microorganism controls are carried out regularly, stagnant water is more problematic in terms of infectious diseases compared to the sea. When we look at pools, one of the issues that needs to be considered is the frequency of regular cleaning and chlorination. “Despite these, some diseases can be transmitted, although rarely,” he said.
“BACTERIA CAN BE TRANSMITTED ORALLY BY SWALLOWING WATER”
Underlining that diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B can in all probability be transmitted when chlorination levels are insufficient, Prof. Dr. Şener said, “Enteric pathogens, which we call microorganisms transmitted orally by swallowing water, can be transmitted predominantly from pools, and some bacteria can be transmitted very rarely from pools. Microorganism photogenic research is carried out by Public Health Institutions in the open sea or coastal sea shores. The amount of bacteria mixed into the water is measured. If the amount of bacteria mixed into the water is below certain numbers, it is not possible to prevent it by saying that it is mixed or not. “If the numbers are above certain numbers, the use of the beach can be closed,” he said.
“VIRUSES DO NOT LIVE IN SALT WATER”
Explaining that if the enteric pathogen level is 0 for several years in a row, the coasts of these beaches are coded as blue flag, Şener said, “If the amount of enteric photogenic infectious disease bacteria is very low in the inspections carried out for several years in a row, the coastal areas are declared clean areas in this respect. There is an advantage for us because it is salty water in terms of viruses. Viruses do not survive in salt water, the probability of survival is very low. Therefore, we have an advantage in terms of viral factors,” he warned.
WARNING FOR ‘STREE ANIMAL’ IN POOLS AND SEA
Pointing out that stray animals on the beaches can also pollute the seas and beaches, Prof. Dr. Şener said, “Along with these contaminations, enteric pathogens or cysts are some of the diseases that may plague us in the summer. As symptoms, we are faced with what we call mild nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. If you see sewage or sewage in a tourist destination due to the turbidity of the sea or flowing into the sea in the picture you are facing on the seashore, it is ideal not to enter the sea in those areas. You need to swim in places far from this area. Not only on the coast, but also in areas where sea tourism is carried out, the bays are polluted due to the discharge of waste water from the toilets there. In this case, enteric pathogens may be encountered. We mostly encounter symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, fever and diarrhea. It can also be confused with sunstroke very often. Because sunstroke can also cause headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in children. Some laboratory tests are needed for these. “If there is any pathogen in the tests with defecation, these patients are diagnosed and antibiotic treatment is required,” he said.
“HAIR FALLING FROM THE SKIN, DRIVING FROM THE MOUTH, CHANGING THE SCALE OF TURBIDITY IN POOLS”
Emphasizing that the use of salty sea water, which has become very popular in pools lately, is an advantage, Şener said:
“Salt water coming from the sea is extra protective, especially for photogens such as HPV and Hepatitis B. For this reason, pools using sea water have an advantage over normal pools. The most important things to pay attention to are that if there is visible turbidity in the pools, ideally we should not put the child in that pool and we should not go in ourselves. Even though pools are subject to regular inspection, more bacteria can be in the pool. Because it’s not just enteric pathogens that fall into the pool. Bacteria shed from the skin, hairs, feathers, and saliva flowing from the mouth and nose change the turbidity scale in pools. “No matter how regular chlorination is, this may not be enough.”
“VIRAL DISEASES MAY BE ENCOUNTERED IN CHILDREN”
Şener stated that if symptoms such as burning, watering and redness occur in the eyes a few hours after entering the pool, this situation may not only be due to chlorination, and said:
“There may be some viral diseases that we encounter especially in children, such as adenovirus. It is necessary to pay attention to this table. When you enter the pool, if you do not have glasses on your face, it is ideal not to put your mouth, nose and head into the water. If the pool and the sea are equally accessible in your facility, the sea should be preferred. “Inevitably, you cannot keep your distance from other people in the pool, but it is possible to keep this distance in the sea.”
“EYE-RELATED DISORDERS MAY CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO CHILDREN”
Şener warned that if complaints such as burning, stinging, watering, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are observed on the face, eyes, after swimming, a specialist physician should be consulted immediately and stated that in cases related to the eyes, there may be problems that can cause permanent damage, especially in children. (UAV)
