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When the tropical heat melts us while sunbathing, we look for help in the cool water. Before we jump into it, however, let’s check the recommendations of the institutions that monitor the epidemiological safety of the beach. And remember – any bathing bans are there to save our health and even life.
- The warming climate brings with it an increase in microbiological threats
- The cause of the problems may be, among others swimming in the sea, lake or other body of water
- It can end up in contact with cyanobacteria, E.coli bacteria, fecal streptococcus, and even problems with intimate health
- More current information can be found on the Onet homepage.
The climate is warming up, and there are more and more microbiological threats
We are not going on vacation to study the knowledge of the life of microorganisms. However, basic knowledge of the subject may come in handy in the event that health begins to fail, seemingly for no reason. Prevention always pays off.
The changing climate causes an increase in temperatures and, consequently, an increase in microbiological hazards. Epidemiologists point out that, therefore, even during a carefree vacation, we can accidentally become infected with various diseases, and the reason will be swimming in the sea, lake or other body of water.
The water “looks clean”, but due to the presence of microorganisms, it may turn out to be hazardous to health. So let’s follow the rules of hygiene and carefully follow the recommendations of institutions monitoring the condition of beaches and waters. In guarded bathing areas it is much easier, because all sanitary recommendations are usually communicated on beach boards. It is worse on wild beaches, although these are also controlled from time to time. Bath safety in terms of water purity can be checked on the website of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate.
Cyanobacteria – what are they, what are the risks of contact with them
Due to the heat and small waves of water, cyanobacteria that are particularly dangerous for people appear several times a season on Polish beaches. They multiply quickly, among others due to contaminated river waters flowing into larger reservoirs. They can be easily confused with algae, because, like them, they lie on the shore, creating a thick green-brown sheepskin. In Poland, cyanobacteria appear on the Baltic Sea, in lakes and ponds.
After the alert is announced, under no circumstances should you enter the water – the presence of cyanobacteria in the water is extremely dangerous to your health. These organisms produce poisonous substances which erupt under the influence of nitrates and phosphates in the water. Toxins secreted by cyanobacteria also float in the air. Being right next to the shore during their bloom is therefore a serious threat. The bloom of cyanobacteria is nothing more than the rapid and massive growth of bacteria, neuro-, dermato- and hepatotoxins harmful to humans, both through contact with the skin and the respiratory tract.
Cyanobacteria, although previously considered plants by science, have recently been transferred as prokaryotes to the kingdom of bacteria. Previously, their ability to photosynthesize (which is why they were considered plants) was confusing. They are extremely persistent organisms, resistant to extreme climatic conditions. The poisonous compounds produced by them can damage the liver, kidneys, skin, and the nervous system – depending on which neurotoxin is predominant at the moment.
Symptoms that should be worrying include nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle aches, chills, fever. Also, in the event of possible contact with cyanobacteria, pustules, blisters in the mouth, severe reddening of the skin, rash and itching may appear. In this case, and knowing that we have had contact with cyanobacteria on the beach, you should immediately see a doctor. Poisoning is especially dangerous for children.
E. coli bacteria, faecal streptococci, golden staphylococcus – the effects of poisoning
E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria are equally dangerous for adults and children. It is one of the most common microorganisms in bathing waters. They are part of the intestinal flora and as long as they remain in the lower gastrointestinal tract, they are harmless to health and even beneficial. However, when they enter the stomach or other part of the body with a gulp of contaminated water, they cause significant damage to health.
Escherichia coli primarily causes blue food poisoning with a very unpleasant course, with vomiting, diarrhea and high fever. This quickly leads to dehydration and severe weakness. In contact with even a small wound on the skin, they can impede the healing process, cause abscesses and superinfections. They are also dangerous to the urinary system. They cause infections and inflammation.
The bacteria that usually appear next to e-coli are fecal streptococci. They also cause poisoning similar to food poisoning.
In order to avoid the unpleasant consequences of bathing in microbiologically contaminated water, it is worth following the instructions, but also avoiding bathing in places where animals, even the most well-cared ones, enter the water. Besides, in resorts there are more and more beaches where dogs and other animals are not allowed. And it is absolutely right – this way being on the beach and swimming is safer for people.
While staying on the beach and bathing, especially in the lake, you can also get infected with golden staph. It is a common bacterium in our environment, so bathing areas are not free from it. If water enters even a small wound or abrasion on the skin, it can cause an abscess or boil, which should not be removed or treated with home remedies. Staphylococcus also causes other skin diseases such as acne and barley, inflammation of the hair follicles on the head and face. It can also cause conjunctivitis and severe food poisoning.
Infections and intimate diseases in women and men
This is probably surprising information for many people, but in the bathing beach you can also get infected with venereal disease, which will manifest itself some time after returning from vacation. A common bacterium is Chlamydia trachomatis (an intracellular parasite) – the cause of urethritis in men, venereal granuloma or cervicitis. It is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact, but the infectious extracellular form of chlamydia can attack our organs in water if we bathe in it.
Do you have a feeling of pressure on your bladder, difficulty holding urine, do you feel a prickling in your urethra? It could be a genitourinary infection. To check this, you can use a mail-order test for bacterial urogenital infection. You can find them on Medonet Market.
Some types of this bacteria cause recurrent keratoconjunctivitis. When the eyes start to sting, itch, and the feeling as if there is sand in them does not pass, it is worth checking if there is an infection with this bacterium.
During summer baths, you can also get infected with vaginal trichomoniasis, which, like chlamydia, is usually sexually transmitted. It is a single-celled protozoan that causes inflammation of the genital tract in women, which is evidenced by abundant vaginal discharge with a strong odor and yellow color. However, in men its presence is latent, but they become carriers of the disease.
To sum up, let us enjoy the benefits of holidays, but consciously, so that diseases do not interfere with rest or returning home.
We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time we devote it to one of the ways to deal with stress – the TRE method. What is it about? How does it release us from stress and trauma? Who is it intended for and who should definitely not use it? About this in the latest episode of our podcast.