A doctor assessed the chance of getting meningitis in a swimming pool

Ludmila Katanakhova, chief freelance specialist in infectious diseases of the Department of Health of Yugra (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug), Candidate of Medical Sciences, assessed the chance of getting meningitis in a swimming pool or a body of water.

In a conversation with "Gazeta.Ru" on Wednesday, November 27, the specialist pointed out that when swimming in water bodies there is a risk of getting infected first of all with intestinal infections: enteroviruses (which can also cause meningitis), noro- and rotavirus infections, hepatitis A and others, as well as parasitic diseases: giardiasis, toxocarosis, schistosomiasis.

She noted that adding chlorine to the water of swimming pools, hot tubs and spas has several benefits: disinfecting, oxidizing and preventing algae, making the water safer for swimming.

Meanwhile, the doctor warned, regular exposure of the body to chlorine weakens the immune system and increases the risk of various diseases. According to her, chlorine destroys not all pathogenic microorganisms.

Also in the pool you can get infections that can cause meningitis, but the infection occurs not from the water, but from contact with an infected person. According to Katanakhova, meningitis can be fatal, especially to a child, in just 24 hours.

The doctor emphasized that amoebic meningitis (Naegleriasis) is a rare form of meningitis, an acute infectious disease whose causative agent is the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. This protozoan microorganism lives in warm fresh water, geothermal springs, and heated swimming pools. There is no effective treatment, and available drugs only slow the progression of the disease. This amoeba is extremely rare, making it difficult to diagnose.

In October, pediatrician Ramil Shakhveledov warned that even timely treated meningitis can lead to brain damage in rare cases. He noted that even with timely therapy, the disease can lead to complications: hearing loss, memory and coordination problems, epileptic seizures, according to 360.ru.

In September, infectious disease specialist Ekaterina Kindalova told about the symptoms of meningitis. To such she attributed intense headaches with nausea, chills, temperature up to 39 degrees and above, tension of the muscles of the back of the neck. Sometimes there may be hypersensitivity of the skin. In the severe course of the disease, unconsciousness may occur, relatives in this case should call an ambulance, RT reports.

Also in September, doctor Semyon Galperin told about the danger of meningitis. Without specific treatment, such a disease threatens a fatal outcome. It happens quite rarely, not all doctors have encountered this pathology. And it is, of course, an indication for emergency hospitalization and serious therapy.

In July last year, pediatrician-immunologist, Doctor of medical sciences, Professor Andrei Prodeus listed the symptoms of meningitis, after which it is necessary to sound the alarm. According to him, in addition to severe headaches and muscle pain, rash can be observed photophobia, writes NSN.

Earlier site kp.ru with reference to infectious disease specialists wrote that the complicated course of meningitis and unfavorable outcome is more often observed in patients from the risk group - with immunodeficiency, acute and chronic lung diseases, atherosclerosis of cerebral arteries in combination with hypertension, with endocrine, oncological and hematological diseases.