Hugs to you Molls! Keep researching, I've learned so much from you! I have witnessed 2 "floaters" in hot tubs. And I will still probably get into another spa because that warm water just feels so good!!

I love KA for the information we freely share with each other. No where else will someone with AS find more pertinent info/help/support for this disease. We may not use/try everything discussed here but it all adds to our collective cache of knowledge.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.

-Donette

Hello, couldn't say it any better...the article has does not refer to swimming pools and most interesting is the new test strip that enables quick results for those who may be wary. I found your comments to be respectful and there should be room for other opinions here--especially for new members like yourself or those who may benefit by swimming. Welcome to KA.

The bacteria in swimming pools has often been named as a danger. Mostly by popular media. It is true that nasty sounding bacteria is present in any pool. And that chlorine can be bad for one too.
However, did you know that in the western world the bacteria limits for when to close on a pool are lower than the amount of bacteria found in a normal clean household kitchen? Try using pool testers on your own cooking area. Even if you live vere tidy and cleaner than most the result will surprise you. I won't even start talking about your toothbrush.
The limits on pools and other public guidelines are set very very low. There is in this thread mentioned one closed pool in the uk. One out of how many?

Basically, the chance of getting sick in a swimming pool is low. Even if the kid in front of you empties it's bowels. The smog of the drive to the pool is worse. Or one cigaret. Even if passively smoked. Take-away food and glasses at the pub are worse.

I know this because I used to work for a Scandinavian government control unit. I have no connections or interests in anything that has to do with swimming pools other than I use them frequently.

Drowning on the other hand is much more of a danger. And if that does not stop you, then do not let bacteria scares do.
The benefits of a swim is likely to outway any contamination anyway except for the extreme and rare cases. Which all my examples have larger risks of bringing forth than does swimming.

People write a lot about this periodically but it is most often exaggerated and the so called evidence in most of these articles is taken out of context or used incorrectly.

The best tip is to use your nose before you go into the water. Especially in a spa. If the chlorine smell is very heavy, or it smells as old socks, stay out. But the chances of getting any bad things out of a pool is incredibly small, unless you drink big amounts of the water. .

Kilroy - Quote : "The best tip is to use your nose before you go into the water. Especially in a spa. If the chlorine smell is very heavy, or it smells as old socks, stay out. But the chances of getting any bad things out of a pool is incredibly small, unless you drink big amounts of the water."

That last comment is the best. Exactly what happened at the pool that was closed: go into the confines of, and immediately one's eyes were smarting with the chlorine and the smell of 'old socks'....Hmmmmm. Horrible.

However, I do not use s'pools.

This was an interesting thread. Hi Molly! I always appreciate your research and input.

That said, I will have to admit that I was in the community pool in our small town 5 days a week (when not sick) for 13 years. It did help me more than PT did and I toned up and lost weight as well as helping my balance and my joints.

Since we moved to the metro area, I haven't been in the pool as much. Being on all of the meds that affect the immune system has made me think about sharing "the bath water" (as one dr. put it) with every one else. I check out the pools, locker rooms, floors, etc. before I use one. I take my own towels, never take my flip-flops off in the showers or around the pools and if I am concerned at all about the cleanliness or management, I stay out. I am not going at all at the moment. I went to one that I found a couple of years ago that is so clean that I felt good about it. Being geared more to adults and not many people using it and the management and meeting with the pool supervisor, I felt ok using it. I shower immediately after getting out and I protect my eyes and try to never get any in my mouth.

For me personally, it is a wonderful exercise. However, I share the concerns about contagion when we have compromised immune systems.

Thanks to both of you for making me re-visit my thoughts on the pool.

Possi

Hi,
I've also read recently that chlorine is not good for our health in general especially if you are advocating a diet supported treatment as such theories as leaky gut and parasitic infection leading to auto immune response would hold to.
I just took a swim in the sea today - delightful - anyone know Amy negatives for ocean dipping? ( besides sharks and box jelly fish I'm in Australia.
Claire

Hi Claire - ocean swimming, good, unless near to sewage outlet. Just need pristine water, no foul substances to mar it. Good exercise.

Breathing in, drowning, sinking, breathing out for too long, being hit by a motorboat, then hit by the idiot attached to it, closely followed by a clunking from their water ski's, marine engine oil, The Kraken, pirates, mucous,flailing feet, elbows, u boats and low flying sea planes, pollution and moby Dick.........most of which, by other names perhaps, can, be found in a swimming pool. Similar fates may accompany solo road crossing, driving a car, flying in a plane, travelling on the rattler and just about evey other enterprise on earth that we humans may undertake.


May I refer all interested parties to Snowshoe's worthy post above.

Scaremongering in such a manner weakens the credibiity of this usually sensibly splendid site.

You missed a few Alan, falling in the bath, being electrocuted by the shower, drowning in one's bathtub. Oh yes, and radiation from bananas and from peanuts.

stayed at a hotel that had a salt water swimming pool and salt water hot tub. the salt, at that concentration was supposed to take the place of the chlorine for killing microbes. i'm sure it must have or they wouldn't be allowed to do it. was such a nice change from the chlorine. always hated the way chlorine stung my eyes, dried out my skin and hair, and degraded my bathing suit. i'd like to see more pools and hot tubs transition to the salt water instead of chlorine. just a more pleasurable experience to me.