Can you get sick at a water park?

Pools, hot tubs, splash pads, and water parks can easily be contaminated by a person with diarrhea. Swimmers get ill by swallowing contaminated water. Chlorine doesn't kill germs instantly which means germs can spread even in properly maintained pools, splash pads, or water parks.



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In the United States each year, over 10,000 people get sick due to infections after visiting waterparks. That statistic does not include people who are infected or get sick after being in pools, spas, hot tubs or public sprinklers.

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Pools, hot tubs, splash pads, and water parks can easily be contaminated by a person with diarrhea. Swimmers get ill by swallowing contaminated water. Chlorine doesn't kill germs instantly which means germs can spread even in properly maintained pools, splash pads, or water parks.

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Respiratory Illness Some water recreation illnesses can affect a person's breathing causing cold or flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath, cough, or a serious infection in the windpipe or lungs.

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You can get sick with diarrhea if you swallow contaminated water in pools, hot tubs, splash pads, oceans, lakes, or rivers. In fact, diarrhea is the most common illness reported for outbreaks linked to water in these places.

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Waterborne illness prevention for swimmers
  1. Always shower before and after swimming.
  2. Do not swim if you have diarrhea.
  3. Avoid swallowing pool water when you swim.
  4. Take children to the restroom often, and wash hands thoroughly after changing diapers.
  5. Change diapers in the bathroom and not beside the pool.


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