Your child may experience cold-like symptoms or illness after swimming due to several factors, not necessarily because swimming causes illness. The most common reasons include exposure to irritants and pathogens in the water.
Irritants in Pool Water
Swimming pools, while treated with chemicals like chlorine to kill germs, can still contain irritants that affect sensitive nasal passages and airways. These irritants can trigger symptoms similar to a cold, such as:
- Runny nose: Chlorine and other pool chemicals can irritate the nasal lining, causing a runny nose. [Reference: Cold-Like Symptoms After Swimming, Feb 25, 2019; How Can I Avoid a Stuffy Nose, Runny Nose, or Sinusitis After Swimming, Dec 31, 2019]
- Sneezing and congestion: Similar to a runny nose, these symptoms arise from the irritation caused by pool chemicals. [Reference: Cold-Like Symptoms After Swimming, Feb 25, 2019]
Exposure to Pathogens
While chlorine aims to neutralize many pathogens, some may persist, especially in poorly maintained pools or natural water bodies like lakes and rivers. These pathogens can cause actual illnesses:
- Diarrhea: Cryptosporidium is a common waterborne parasite that can cause diarrhea. [Reference: Why Does My Child Get Sick After Swimming?, Urgent Care Omaha]
- Other infections: Bacteria like Pseudomonas can cause skin rashes or other infections. [Reference: 4 Ways You Can Get Sick From Pool Water, Health.com]
- Swimmer's ear: This infection of the outer ear canal is more common in children and develops a few days after swimming. [Reference: Recreational Water Illnesses, Washington State Department of Health]
Important Note: Colds are Viral
It's crucial to understand that swimming itself doesn't directly cause the common cold, which is a viral infection. However, being in a cool environment after swimming, or being in close proximity to other children who might be carrying cold viruses, could increase the likelihood of catching a cold. [Reference: How to avoid catching a cold after swimming, Quora] Children are naturally more susceptible to colds. [Reference: Winter Swimming & Colds, Swim 4 Life]
Preventing Illness After Swimming
- Shower before and after swimming.
- Ensure the swimming area is well-maintained and clean.
- Avoid swallowing pool or lake water.
- Dry ears thoroughly after swimming to help prevent swimmer's ear.
