Staph Infections and Swimming Pools

Over the past few weeks several members have expressed their concern over getting staph infection from others who have known staph infections who are using the pool.  I have researched this on the internet as well as contacting several physicians,  I would like to share my findings with you.

Can I get MRSA from a swimming pool?  I have been told that doctors advise people to get into a swimming pool in order to kill the MRSA on their body.  Is this good advice?  Well first of all, I am not a doctor, but I can share with you research that has been found.

According to a recent study, swimming pools will kill MRSA and Staph bacteria in the water IF the water is properly maintained.  I can assure you that the Gym’s pool is maintained to the health department’s standards.  We check our water chemistry on a daily basis.  We add the necessary chemicals to make sure our chlorine, Ph, alkalinity, are all in the correct levels.  If the chlorine levels ever were to be too low or too high we will close our pool until levels reach the appropriate readings. 

First of all I would like to advise anyone who has an open wound to avoid using any public swimming facility.  Most swimming pools have a policy that do not allow people to enter the water with open wounds.  Our pool has this policy as well and we will post notice immediately regarding this.  Therefore, if you have an active infection, I think it is wise to stay out of the water.  You don’t want to chance giving your infection to someone else nor do you want your open wound to become more infected with more bacteria.

Secondly, chlorine will kill MRSA and Staph at proper swimming pool or spa concentrations, The Gym’s pool are at those proper concentrations at all times.

In summary, swimming pools or spas will not cleanse your body of MRSA, staph or any other bacterial skin infection.  Chlorine in the pool is meant to reduce or eliminate free-floating bacteria and parasites that come off of people into the water, making the pool a safer environment for all.  As long as the swimming pool is maintained appropriately, they will kill MRSA and Staph bacteria in the water fairly quickly making it fairly unlikely for anyone to get MRSA from a pool.

The CDC has posted some great information about swimming pool an spa health, and how you can better determine how well swimming pools and spas are maintained.  Go to www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming.com  for more information, and I also encourage you to use your internet to Google this information as well.

Lynn Pass