• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Strategicia

Initiate. Inspire. Innovate.

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Family
    • Health & Fitness
    • Education
    • Furniture
    • Technology
    • Business
    • Financial
    • Marketing
    • Transportation
    • Construction
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us

Pool-Related Illnesses: Infections That Aren’t Spread Through Pools

Last updated on October 17, 2019 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

family legs feet outstretched over pool water

While there are plenty of RWIs you want to be cautious about spreading through your swimming pool, we thought we’d offer a silver lining: there are some infections that are pretty unlikely to spread through pool use — and they might surprise you! If you’ve been at all worried about fostering the spread of pinworm infections, head lice, or MRSA through your backyard swimming pool, you really don’t need to worry about them.

Pinworm Infections

Pinworm infections happen when people swallow pinworm eggs — typically as a result of interaction with contaminated surfaces. The good news is that while swimming pool chlorine levels aren’t high enough to kill pinworm eggs, related infections are highly unlikely to be spread through pools, where a small number of pin worms may be found in thousands of gallons of water.

Preschool-aged and school-aged children are those most at-risk for pin worm infections, and you can help reduce the chances of those infections by encouraging hand washing, keeping fingernails short and clean, requiring daily bathing and changing of underwear or swimsuits as well as regular changing and washing of pajamas.

swimmers with caps kicking water and talking

Head Lice

Like pinworms, head lice can survive chlorine levels in swimming pools. However, because they survive by keeping their grip on human hair, they’re fairly unlikely to loosen their grip simply because the hair is immersed in water. However, head lice can be spread through poolside items such as towels, which have come into contact with a person’s hair, so it’s alway best not to share towels, caps, or hair care items.

Also note that if you have undergone treatment with anti-lice shampoo, it’s best to avoid swimming for at least a couple days, simply to allow the treatment to work effectively. (For more information about the treatment of head lice, see this page.)

MRSA Staph Infections

MRSA stands for an antibiotic-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus or “staph” for short. MRSA spreads most easily through uncovered scrapes or cuts. Like head lice, MRSA doesn’t typically spread through water; however, it can be spread by having direct contact with someone infected with MRSA, sharing contaminated items, or coming into contact with surfaces also used by those infected with MRSA. (Unlike head lice, though, MRSA cannot survive long in properly maintained pool water.) Often mistaken for spider bites, MRSA infections affect the skin, appearing as boils or pustules. Typically, these sores appear red and swollen and are both painful and warm to the touch. In addition to these skin infections, those affected by MRSA often have a fever.

By greatly limiting those who have access to your own backyard swimming pool, you reduce the risk of getting many illnesses and infections that can be introduced to public swimming pool water and the surrounding environment.

mother dipping young baby into pool water

Continue Reading about Pools

  • High-Tech Pool Safety Technology
  • How To Launch a Labor Day Party To Remember!

Lyon Financial: America’s Leading Pool Lender

Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.

Filed Under: Health & Fitness, Swimming Pools

Additional Articles

Do Hot Tubs Really Benefit from Full-Foam Insulation?
Exercises in the Water: Pool Health Advice, Part 4
Exercises in the Water: Pool Health Advice, Part 3
swimmers with caps kicking water and talking
Exercises in the Water: Pool Health Advice, Part 2
three kids enjoying time in pool water
Exercises in the Water: Pool Health Advice, Part 1
young swim goggles boy racing through pool
None of These Issues are Recreational Water Illnesses

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

11 + five =



Primary Sidebar

Lyon Financial

Popular Articles

  • Effects of Television on Teenagers
  • Genuine Mahogany vs. African Mahogany: What's the Difference?
  • What Is So Great about Teak Wood?
  • Modern Perforating Techniques Used by Metal Manufacturers & Fabricators
  • Is Your Teen Diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder?
  • Ipe Decking: Should you use Face Screwed or Hidden Fasteners?
  • Top 3 Pool Maintenance Tasks – and Suggestions on How To Do Them
  • The Gymnast’s Diet: Why You Should Avoid Nitrates & Nitrites
  • The Gymnast’s Diet: Why You Should Avoid Refined Flours and Sugars
Lyon Financial

Freshest Articles

  • Salt Water Swimming Pool Maintenance, Part 2
  • Salt Water Swimming Pool Maintenance, Part 1
  • Lovin That Outdoor Pizza Oven!
  • When Should I Pump My Septic Tank?
  • When Buying Larger Size Lumber Is Actually Cheaper, Part 3
  • When Buying Larger Size Lumber Is Actually Cheaper, Part 2
  • When Buying Larger Size Lumber Is Actually Cheaper, Part 1
  • Pool Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe, Part 5
  • Pool Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe, Part 4
  • Pool Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe, Part 3
Lyon Financial

Reader Feedback

  • Mitch Shearer on How the All-New X10 HUB Builds on Already-Amazing Technology
  • Alec Burns on Health Benefits of Having Your Own Backyard Swimming Pool
  • Welded Mesh on Modern Perforating Techniques Used by Metal Manufacturers & Fabricators
  • Tyler Johnson on Top 3 Pool Maintenance Tasks – and Suggestions on How To Do Them
  • Kate Hansen on Health Benefits of Having Your Own Backyard Swimming Pool
  • Shaylee Packer on Modern Perforating Techniques Used by Metal Manufacturers & Fabricators
X10 Home Automation

Copyright © 2023 Sozo Firm Inc · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer · Sitemap