If you have recently swam in a pool or are thinking about it, then you may have wondered about the correlation between pink eye and swimming pools. It’s a common question: Does swimming in water make you more susceptible to getting pink eye? That is, can you get pink eye from swimming in a pool? The answer is most definitely yes. Pink eye is highly contagious in a swimming pool environment. It is very prevalent and is something you must be careful about if you do decide to swim in a pool. Here’s why.
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It Starts At The Source
The source of the problem is almost always the water. When an organism such as a virus or bacteria comes in contact with water, it instantly starts multiplying. That’s why most infectious diseases are associated with water in some way. For example, the common cold is usually caused by a virus that spreads through water droplets when someone with colds sneezes or inhales droplets of water. Similarly, the flu can be caused by a virus that spreads through water. It starts at the source and then spreads to the rest of the body. That’s why the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that you stay away from swimming pools during the summer months. The water in pools can become very warm and crowded, increasing the likelihood of infections.
It Has No Cure
Even if you do get better, you will always have the underlying infection. The best example of this is Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2). While this virus usually leads to cold sores or fever blisters in the vicinity of the nerves that are connected to the brain (HSV-1 is the cause of most cases of “regular” pink eye), HSV-2 can also cause more serious diseases. Like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which the CDC says is more commonly known as the “plague” of the 20th century, HSV-2 can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In fact, it is the most common AIDS-causing virus in the United States. Even if you get better from HIV or AIDS, you will always have the virus in you. It cannot be eradicated; it can only be controlled. Although expensive medications can prevent these diseases in the first place, they also put you at risk of other infections. For this reason, the CDC recommends that people avoid getting AIDS or other types of viral infections from contaminated water sources.
It’s A Global Problem
Even though it is most common in the U.S., pink eye is a global problem. It is estimated that about 20 million cases of the disease occur each year. In some rare cases, it has been known to cause blindness. It mainly affects children and young adults, though cases have been seen in people as old as 90. The biggest risk factors for getting pink eye are being undernourished and having weak immune systems. In underdeveloped countries, people often lack basic sanitation, which makes them more vulnerable to infections. They also may not have access to clean drinking water. In some parts of the world, there is no cure for pink eye. The only way to treat it is with anti-viral medications or steroids. In these cases, people often have to recover slowly over a period of months so that their bodies can build up a sufficient amount of antibodies to combat the virus. It is also important to remember that in some cases, the virus can be passed from person to person via handshakes or kisses. This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) considers pink eye to be a “social disease.” It is highly prevalent in schools and college campuses due to poor hygiene practices. It is also on the rise because more and more people are getting immunizations, so there are fewer and fewer cases of chickenpox. This is likely because the vaccine greatly reduces the risk of getting shingles and other viral infections. While there are many viral diseases that can cause pink eye, it is also possible to get it from bacteria. Bacteria are another matter entirely. Unlike viruses, they can actually be eradicated from the body with antibiotics. This makes antibiotics a viable treatment for pink eye. However, if you do get infected with a bacteria that is resistant to commonly used antibiotics, then this is another serious problem because nothing else seems to be working. In these cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the infected tissue and replace it with healthy tissue.
It Has A High Morbidity
Even if you do get better, you have to remember that you are still sick. This is why it has such a high morbidity rate. When someone has pink eye, other infections are the likely consequence. Other diseases that have been associated with pink eye include asthma, skin rashes, hives, and allergies. There is also a small chance that it could be the culprit behind multiple sclerosis, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. It has been known to be a possible cause of migraines and epilepsy. In almost all cases, the cause of pink eye is never identified. It is simply called “pink eye.” It is most often seen in people with weak immune systems or people who are infected with HIV or AIDS. Due to its highly contagious nature, it has been known to spread through close contact with an infected person. One of the most common ways that it spreads is through direct contact with water. This is why it is extremely prevalent in swimming pools. People get it by breathing in the infected air or swallowing water droplets that contain the virus. Inhalation is considered to be the main route of infection for most viruses and bacteria. It is also one of the main ways that diseases are passed from person to person. Due to its high rate of infection and potential to cause serious harm, it is imperative that people be aware of the risks posed by pink eye and take necessary precautions.
People Have A Poor Understanding Of The Disease
Even though most people have a clear understanding of HIV and AIDS after spending so much time in school, there is still a large section of the population that does not know much about pink eye. According to a survey conducted by the CDC, 48% of the respondents thought that the primary way that HIV is transmitted is through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Only 4% of the respondents knew that the disease could be contracted by simply breathing in the contaminated air. This suggests that people are not taking the proper precautions in understanding the risks associated with contracting this disease. It is also common for people to confuse pink eye with conjunctivitis, which is usually a result of allergic reactions or infections with staph bacteria. While they seem to share some similar characteristics (they both cause a redness and irritation in the eyes), conjunctivitis is usually not as serious as pink eye. It is also important to note that if you have ever had conjunctivitis, then you are at an increased risk of getting pink eye. This means that if you have not been vaccinated against it, then it is probably because you have never been exposed to it before. Once you have been exposed to the virus (even once), you are at risk of getting it again in the future. The best way to prevent conjunctivitis is by getting an annual flu shot. Many people develop immunity to the flu after one or two shots, which means that they will not get sick from the flu if they get it again. With regards to staph bacteria, it is often times difficult to tell the difference between the two. While they may appear similar, staph bacteria can cause a lot of damage to the body if not treated properly. Even if you do not suffer from staph bacterial infections, they can still be present in your body and cause trouble. It is always best to be on the safe side and get tested just to be sure.
No One Is Immune
It is important to remember that no one is immune to the risks posed by pink eye. Everyone is at risk, which is why it is so prevalent. It is also one of the reasons that people with weak immune systems or who are infected with HIV or AIDS are more likely to get it. Everyone should take precautions when in a swimming pool environment, especially people who have compromised immune systems. Even those who have never been diagnosed with an illness are at risk because they have not been immunized against the viruses that cause them. One of the most important things that people can do to protect themselves is to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 6 months and 65 years get a flu shot every year. This is to protect them from getting sick with the flu and the complications that come with it. Many vaccines also protect people against other viruses such as shingles and pink eye. It is also a good idea for people to undergo regular eye exams so that any problems can be identified and treated promptly. This way, they can stay healthy and enjoy their time in the pool.