The CDC’s latest report on the hazards of recreational water indicated that from 2015 to 2019, there had been 208 outbreaks. Out of these 208 outbreaks, 76 were from cryptosporidium, which caused over 2,400 cases. Legionella was another significant disease that caused 65 outbreaks. It ultimately led to 13 deaths.
Clark County Pool & Lawn, having provided years of pool services in the Las Vegas area, cannot stress enough how vital it is to have your pool water treated regularly. It needs regular pH balance checks, alkalinity, salinity checks, and other inspections to ensure that you and your family are swimming in safe water.
Without well-treated, sanitized water, you could find yourself swimming in water harboring many germs and microbes. If your pool has regular care and maintenance from professionals, you’re far less likely to have these microbes in the water.
Classification of Microbes
The microorganisms that can live in your pool are typically classified by the World Health Organization in two categories: faecally-derived, which means they come from human feces, and non-faecally-derived, which means that the microbes come from other sources.
Faecally-derived microorganisms
Viruses
- Adenovirus – these are common viruses that lead to various illnesses, often associated with cold-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, pneumonia, pink eye, and diarrhea.
- Hepatitis A – This is a virus-induced liver infection, which causes severe inflammation, and is highly contagious.
- Norovirus – also very contagious; this virus is associated with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. It’s also thought to be the most common cause of gastroenteritis.
- Enterovirus – Milder symptoms are fever, a runny nose, sneezing, cough, and skin rashes. The more severe forms of the virus affect the nervous system, targeting the gray matter of the spinal cord, causing weak muscles and reflexes.
Protozoa
- Giardia – This tiny germ or parasite causes giardiasis, a form of diarrhea. It leads to gas, foul-smelling feces, stomach pain, and dehydration.
- Cryptosporidium – It’s a microscopic parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, which is also a form of diarrhea.
Bacteria
- Shigella – This is a highly contagious intestinal infection that causes painful or bloody diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
- E. Coli – This bacteria typically causes only mild infections. Still, certain strains can lead to severe or life-threatening complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, which attacks the kidneys.
Non-Faecally-derived microorganisms
Viruses
- Molluscipoxvirus – It causes molluscum contagiosum disease, which is a skin condition that causes papules or bumps to grow on the skin. It can lead to atopic dermatitis and even immunosuppression.
- Papillomavirus – This is a viral infection passed through skin-to-skin contact. HPV is one of the most common viral infections of the human reproductive tract.
Bacteria
- Legionella spp. – This causes Legionnaire’s disease, a condition widely regarded as the top three most common causes of severe pneumonia.
- Pseudomonas spp. – This bacterium leads to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection, which is a cause of pneumonia and blood infections.
- Mycobacterium spp. – These are slow-growing bacteria, and 30 strains have been associated with human diseases. But most importantly, it’s one of the causes of mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Staphylococcus aureus – This bacterium causes pneumonia and infections of the lungs and bloodstream.
- Leptospira spp.- This causes leptospirosis, whose symptoms include high fever, chills, jaundice, vomiting, abdominal pains, diarrhea, and rashes.=
Get Your Water Treated Properly By Experts
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the different types of bacteria and microorganisms that puts a person at risk when they get in a pool with untreated or incorrectly treated pool water. It’s crucial to know and understand the correct balance of chemicals that can thoroughly sanitize your pool and keep it clean and safe for everyone swimming in it.
Clark County Pool & Lawn has had years of experience treating and sanitizing pools. It’s one of the most crucial parts of the services that we offer to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable time swimming in your pool. Contact us today and book an appointment for pool treatment and cleaning, so you can ensure that you are stepping into safe and clean water.
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