The Dark Side Of Swimming: “Recreational Water Illness”

Swimming, NYT health writer Jane Brody tells us, is the second most popular sport, after walking. She also reports that swimmers have roughly half the likelihood of death of inactive people and that it's the ideal sport for people with chronic ailments. So what's not to like? How about infections in your ears, eyes, or gastrointestinal tract, unpleasantness referred to by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a “recreational water illness." Yes, says Brody, there is a lot of that, but most of it can be avoided with a few simple practices. First, shower before entering a pool. This won't protect you, but it will protect eveyone else in the pool from your germs. Second, wear goggles: they'll protect your eyes from things like conjunctivitis, and they'll help you see. Also, wear earplugs or a bathing cap that covers your ears. That should go a long way in preventing swimmer's ear. And finally, if the health department tells you not to swim in a pool or pond, listen to them.

Read more from Jane Brody.

More on how to prevent swimmer's ear.