Marine beaches also contain higher levels of Firmicutes, aerobic Gram-positive bacteria commonly found in the human gut, and Planctomycetes, a phylum of bacteria that may have beneficial relationships with marine algae.
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Vibrio bacteria risksVibrio bacteria naturally occur in some coastal waters and reach higher concentrations when water temperatures are warmer, between May and October, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Many beaches may be contaminated with fecal bacteria, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues. Avoid swimming after it rains and wash your hands regularly to cut down on your chances of getting sick at the beach. Check with your local health department to determine if your beach is safe for swimming.
You are more likely to get sick if you swim at a closed beach or one that has not been tested for contamination. Swimmers can sometimes be exposed to more serious diseases like salmonella. People can get rashes simply from getting polluted water on their skin or in their eyes.
Another potential source of illness includes some types of cyanobacteria that form algal “blooms” (discolored water) and the toxins they produce. When people are exposed to cyanotoxins, they may have hay fever-like symptoms, skin rashes, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or even kidney or liver damage.
The bacteria can be contracted by swimming in coastal waters and by eating shellfish or raw oysters. Severe cases of Vibrio vulnificus can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, which can result in amputations or death.
However, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has been identified since 1990 [18]. MRSA infection can also be transmitted by using recreational seawater, beaches, and pools that are not properly managed or mineral water bottles scattered around [19].
But before you do, you should be aware that some of these beaches can be mistaken for a public toilet by a lab test. According to a damning new report from Environment America, over half of all U.S. beaches are contaminated with poop. Yep, you read that right.
Eighty-four percent of Gulf Coast beaches, 70% of West Coast beaches, and 63% of the Great Lakes reached these potentially unsafe levels at least once in 2022. A tool on the Environment America website shows state-by-state data if you want to see how your local beaches stack up.
Ilyas, MD. Elevated levels of ABRs on the skin lasted for six hours post-swim, according to the study To reduce the risk of skin infections, it's best to shower shortly after you've been in the ocean. Much like with showering post-workout, a shower after the ocean washes away bacterium.