Expert warns: 'Choose the sea instead of the pool'

With the summer season, families with children, in particular, have started heading toward the sea or swimming pools. In crowded pools, the probability of individuals contracting infectious diseases has increased. This has led to the question in many minds: 'Is the pool healthier, or the sea?'

Warning that the open sea is healthier, Infectious Diseases Department faculty member Prof. Dr. Alper Şener stated, "Even if the chlorination or ozonation periods of pools are proper and microorganism checks are performed 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 should be paid attention to is the frequency of regular cleaning and chlorination. Despite these, some diseases can be transmitted, albeit rarely."

''BACTERIA CAN BE TRANSMITTED''

Underlining that diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B can be transmitted in any case when chlorination levels are insufficient, Prof. Dr. Şener said, "Enteric pathogens, which we call microorganisms transmitted orally through swallowing water, can be transmitted from pools primarily, and some bacteria can also be transmitted very rarely. In the open sea or along the coast, microorganism pathogen research is conducted by Public Health Institutions. The amount of bacteria mixed into the water is checked. If the amount of bacteria mixed into the water is below certain numbers, it is not possible to prevent it by saying it has or has not mixed. If it is above certain numbers, the beach can be closed to use."

''VIRUSES DO NOT SURVIVE IN SALTY WATER''

Explaining that if the enteric pathogen count is zero for several consecutive years, these beaches are coded as blue flag, Şener warned, "In inspections conducted for several years in a row, if the amount of enteric pathogen infectious disease bacteria is very low, the coastal areas are declared clean zones in this respect. There is an advantage for us regarding viruses because it is salt water. Viruses do not survive in salt water; the probability of them surviving is very low. Therefore, we have an advantage in terms of viral agents."

WARNING ABOUT STRAY ANIMALS IN POOLS AND SEAS

Pointing out that stray animals present on the beaches can also pollute the seas and shores, Prof. Dr. Şener said, "With this pollution, enteric pathogens or cysts are among the diseases that can be a nuisance during the summer period. As symptoms, we encounter conditions such as mild nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If you are facing a situation on the seashore where you see cloudiness in the sea or sewage or waste flowing into the sea in a tourist area, it is ideal not to enter the sea in those regions. You should swim in places far from this area. It is not just in the coastal section; the pollution of bays due to the discharge of waste water from toilets in regions where sea tourism is practiced is also in question. In this case, one may also encounter enteric pathogens. In these, we mostly encounter conditions such as headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. It is also very often confused with sunstroke. 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 stool tests, these patients are diagnosed and antibiotic treatment is required."

''THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO PAY ATTENTION TO ARE...''

Emphasizing that the use of salty sea water, which has been very popular in pools recently, is an advantage, Şener noted the following:
"Salty water coming from the sea is extra protective against pathogens such as HPV and Hepatitis B. For this reason, pools that use sea water have an added advantage over normal pools. The most important things to pay attention to are actually that if there is visible cloudiness in the pools, the ideal is not to let the child enter that pool, and for us not to enter either. Even though pools are subject to regular inspections, there can be more bacteria in the pool. Because what falls into the pool is not just enteric pathogens. Bacteria shed from the skin, hair, fur, and saliva flowing from the mouth and nose change the cloudiness scale in pools. No matter how regular the chlorination is, this can remain insufficient."

''THERE CAN BE VIRAL DISEASES ENCOUNTERED IN CHILDREN''

Stating that if conditions such as burning, watering, or redness in the eyes occur a few hours after entering the pool, this situation may not only be related to chlorination, Şener said:
"There can be some viral diseases that we encounter especially in children, such as Adenovirus. One needs to be careful about this condition. When you enter the pool, if you do not have goggles on your face, it is ideal not to put your mouth, nose, or head into the water. If both a pool and the sea are equally accessible at the facility where you are staying, the sea should be preferred. You inevitably cannot maintain your distance from other people in the pool, but it is possible to maintain this distance in the sea."

BE CAREFUL IF THESE SYMPTOMS APPEAR AFTER THE POOL

Warning that if complaints such as burning, stinging, watering in the face or eyes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are seen after the pool, one should immediately consult a specialist physician, Şener stated that in eye-related situations, there could be conditions that could leave permanent damage, especially in children.