Infections from swimming?

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Wed, 22 Sep 2004 12:21:18 GMT

The OTC drops contain isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). I'm not aware of any potential for damage to the ear drum. I've been using this for years.

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Wed, 22 Sep 2004 05:25:40 GMT

Originally posted by HirsuteSwimmer My ORL once told me that alcohol can damage the eardrum and to use only vinegar in the ear. It doesn't dry but raise the pH to a level inadequate for bacteria to live. I use an over the counter ear drop for swimmers. I think it contains alcohol I hope that doesn't damage my drum.

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Tue, 21 Sep 2004 14:57:23 GMT

Originally posted by Rob Copeland However, for drying ears I find a few drops of rubbing alcohol also works. My ORL once told me that alcohol can damage the eardrum and to use only vinegar in the ear. It doesn't dry but raise the pH to a level inadequate for bacteria to live.

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Tue, 21 Sep 2004 14:37:21 GMT

Originally posted by Rob Copeland Tim, I’m not sure if your blow dryer trick would work with bladder infections. However, for drying ears I find a few drops of rubbing alcohol also works. If we start to promote using blow dryers for this, how will we keep anyone in the pool swimming????? Wouldn't there be a long line for the blower? Of course, it could be a way to get more people to join!:)

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Tue, 21 Sep 2004 13:37:44 GMT

If we're going to start using the hair dryers to prevent bladder infections, we may need to mount them lower on the walls. Or maybe not.

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Tue, 21 Sep 2004 09:30:42 GMT

LOL Rob! I spit water all over my keyboard after reading your response...only to be followed by a nice visual from geochuck. Reading this post certainly brightened my day :)

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Tue, 21 Sep 2004 09:18:03 GMT

The only time I had to shut down my pool was when a little fellow who ate to much spinach expelled it in the pool. It was like little greens all over the place. George

RE: Infections from swimming?

Rob Copeland — Tue, 21 Sep 2004 04:35:40 GMT

Tim, I’m not sure if your blow dryer trick would work with bladder infections. However, for drying ears I find a few drops of rubbing alcohol also works.

RE: Infections from swimming?

aztimm — Tue, 21 Sep 2004 03:51:48 GMT

I don't know about bladder infections, but I have gotten ear and sinus infections from rapid changes in pool chemistry and also from swimming in open water (where there is no sanitation). Earlier this year, they drained/refilled our pool and let us swim while the water was still refilling. Like clockwork, 3 days after an ear infection started. The same thing happened just days after I returned from Cabo San Lucas, where I was in the ocean and hotel pools. A doctor once told me that the best way to avoid these infections was to get the pool water out ASAP. I always use those hair dryers, aim right in my ears to dry them, and make sure I give my nose a good blow after getting out of the pool. Whether or not the bladder infections of these women is connected to the pool, I think it is good that the pool staff are being proactive, and with any luck the pool will be reopened shortly. Tim

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Mon, 20 Sep 2004 13:02:47 GMT

I could not find any published reports of bladder infections (cystitis) caused by swimming pools. There is one report of vibrio cystitis attributed to swimming in the Chesapeake Bay. Common things being common, I suspect the women at the pool in question developed cystitis the usual way (ie unrelated to swimming). Then again, this isn't my specialty.

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2004 14:48:27 GMT

Originally posted by swimgirl78 Thank you everyone for your replies. I appreciate the help. SWinkleblech, the pool was being shut down by staff, but I was told that someone is reporting the gym to the health department, after a swimmer took a sample of the water to have it tested independently and found it had basically no cholorine (on top of the suspect bladder infections). Thanks again. That might just do it. If you are concerned about the chlorine levels, I know in PA anyone has the right to see the records of chlorine readings. I don't know if this holds true in other states.

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2004 13:53:47 GMT

I was a pool manager for 9 years and know that chlorine does not always kill all bacteria in the pool water quick enough. There have been cases such as ecoli being passed on in swimming pools. That is why many pools require young kids to wear swimmies and not diapers in their pools. Now I have never heard of a bladder infection being caused by swimming pools but I wouldn't totally rule it out. Was the pool being shut down by the pool managers or was it being shut down by the Health department? If it is by the Health department they should know if there is a real problem. If it is by the staff they might be unsure and just being over catious.

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2004 06:43:08 GMT

Thank you everyone for your replies. I appreciate the help. SWinkleblech, the pool was being shut down by staff, but I was told that someone is reporting the gym to the health department, after a swimmer took a sample of the water to have it tested independently and found it had basically no cholorine (on top of the suspect bladder infections). Thanks again.

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Sat, 18 Sep 2004 05:19:21 GMT

It is quite possible the pool went without (or with too little)chlorine for a period of time (ideal situation for breeding and spreading all manner of low-order life forms, especially if the water is warm) then, subsequently, was superchlorinated. Both conditions would warrant pool closure untill appropriate pool chemistry is re-established.

RE: Infections from swimming?

Former Member — Fri, 17 Sep 2004 13:48:40 GMT

My mother is a nurse, and she tells me that "very highly unlikely" that you can contract a bladder infection from a chlorinated pool. Also, from what I know from high school chemisty (only been a couple years, I'm not that rusty) Chlorine is used primarily as a water sanitizer, mostly because of its ability to kill single celled algae and bacteria by oxidation, a unique property of the chlorine which, in regulated doses, will not harm human skin or organs. So to answer your question, I'd have to say"probably not." :)

RE: Infections from swimming?

Jim Clemmons — Fri, 17 Sep 2004 08:05:07 GMT

For as long as I've been swimming, I've never had a bladder infection. :rolleyes: Had some nasty ear infections though. :eek:

RE: Infections from swimming?

aquageek — Fri, 17 Sep 2004 07:45:59 GMT

This sounds like a post for gull80 to answer.