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Do germs spread in a swimming pool?

Bacteria and viruses are the most common causes of infection although other things such as fungi may cause problems as well. Each infectious agent has its own way of replicating and staying alive. Some are able to withstand being away from a human body for extended periods of time. The rotavirus, which causes diarrhoea, may be deposited on nappy changing tables and toys and stay infectious for a couple of days. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, on the other hand, is destroyed very shortly when left in the open air. Spores of certain fungi and the eggs of some parasites can withstand rather adverse conditions, e.g. cryptosporidium can cause gastrointestinal illness (diarrhoea and sickness) in most people - and even death in those with AIDS - if it gets into the water supply.

Because there is such a variety of different organisms that may possibly come in contact with pools, elimination of as many of these as possible without causing toxic effects on humans is the common strategy. Keep in mind that water itself is rather toxic to most organisms. So, just the fact that it is a pool will keep many bacteria and viruses from propagating.

However, there are some bacteria that are actually water-loving, and it is these organisms towards which most of our killing efforts are directed. The common strategy uses modification of the acidity of the pool as well as chlorination of the water, which is toxic to most of these infectious agents.

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