Duck stories: what is the danger of swimming in polluted water
The healing power of the sun, air and water is not always on the human side. Beach holidays can turn into serious challenges for the body if you do not follow the rules of hygiene and ethics. What dangers await bathers in the water, why you should not use shared sun beds and how romance affects relationships and health in public places — in the Izvestia article.
Fungi and cercariae
The sun has a disinfecting effect due to ultraviolet radiation, but its effectiveness depends on the exposure time and the material of the sunbed, says Inna Ilyina, associate professor of the Department of Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases with a cosmetology course at ROSBIOTECH University.
— Fungi can persist on fabric surfaces for up to several weeks, especially in a humid environment. Bacteria — Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus — survive from several hours to a day. Viruses, especially molluscum contagiosum virus, can remain contagious for several days, warns Inna Ilyina.
The sand on the beach, especially wet, can also be a source of "surprises". The associate professor lists the most unpleasant dangers:
— fungal infections;
— parasitic diseases (for example, if you come into contact with polluted sand, you can become infected with hookworm larvae);
— bacteria that live in faecal contamination from animals and humans.
According to the associate professor, the most common danger of freshwater reservoirs is infection with cercariasis ("bather's itch"). The vectors of parasites (cercariae— microscopic larvae of helminths of waterfowl) are ducks.
Inna Ilyina's main recommendation is not to lie down on the sand without bedding, and if you decide to use a sunbed, then protect yourself from unpleasant consequences.
— Use a personal towel or disinfectant wipes before lying down on a public sunbed, — Ilina comments. — After the beach, you should try to take a shower, thoroughly wash both your body and feet. It is also important to remember that healthy, undamaged skin is an obstacle to any infection. Try to complete all procedures related to the violation of the integrity of the skin and appendages of the skin (peels, haircuts, barbering, manicure, pedicure, etc.) a week before the expected vacation.
Sea or fresh water
Natalia Cherevko, a gynecologist at the Scandinavian Health Center, notes that there are always microorganisms in reservoirs. In the heat or after rain, their concentration increases.
—There may be E. coli, enterococci, shigella, salmonella, rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses, giardia, cryptosporidia, and hepatitis A and E viruses in seawater and freshwater," Natalia Cherevko lists. — Pseudomonas aeruginosa (causes folliculitis — "bather's rash") and skin fungi actively multiply in warm standing water. In the marine environment, vibrio infections, including cholera, are possible. These pathogens can cause intestinal, skin and genitourinary infections when the barrier protection of the skin and mucous membranes is weakened.
From the point of view of Associate Professor Ilyina, swimming in seawater is less risky due to its high salinity and the content of a natural antiseptic, iodine. However, unpleasant consequences such as contact dermatitis (from contact with algae and jellyfish), as well as various infections, are possible in the sea if sewage enters the sea.
River and lake water is primarily dangerous because E. coli can be ingested with it. In addition, the bather runs the risk of contracting leptospirosis, an acute infectious disease that is transmitted to humans from animals. There is also a risk of parasitic infections (giardia, helminths) and fungal skin diseases, the expert warns.
— The main preventive measures for bathing are personal hygiene, the use of individual accessories and the choice of proven beaches, — says Inna Ilyina. — If you have any suspicious symptoms (itching, rash, gastrointestinal disorder), consult a dermatologist or an infectious disease specialist.
Sex on the beach
Romance on the beach ends with cystitis and inflammation, says Natalia Cherevko, a gynecologist at the Scandinavian Health Center. The expert explained the dangers of proximity in reservoirs and pools and which symptoms cannot be ignored.
— Many people believe that sex in the water is safer than on land. In practice, it often leads to microtrauma, inflammation and infection. But contact with water destroys the protective barrier of the mucous membranes — grease is washed out, and friction increases. This leads to tissue damage, which is easier for bacteria to penetrate. The acidity of the vagina is disrupted, beneficial lactobacilli die. The risk of cystitis, urethritis, thrush and other inflammations increases, warns Natalia Cherevko.
According to the gynecologist, even chlorinated water does not protect a person — on the contrary, it irritates mucous membranes, dries tissues and makes sexual intercourse more traumatic. Protective equipment in the water often tears or slips, the expert emphasizes.
"Proximity in water does not exclude the transmission of sexually transmitted infections," Natalia Cherevko continues. — Gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, HPV are transmitted through direct contact, and a humid environment increases the likelihood of injury and infection. Additionally, the microflora of warm or stagnant water increases the risk: E. coli, enterococci, pseudomonas, fungi.
Natalia Cherevko notes that it is impossible to get STIs from the water itself, but during sexual intercourse in a polluted environment, pathogens more easily enter the mucous membranes.
— Cystitis and vaginal inflammation usually manifest themselves within 1-2 days: frequent urination, burning, abdominal pain, — says Natalia Cherevko. — STI symptoms may appear later — the incubation period reaches two to three weeks. Warning signs: unusual discharge, itching, rash, redness, pain during sex or going to the toilet, spotting.
In case of any of these signs, the expert advises to consult a doctor immediately.
Risk group
From the point of view of a gynecologist, it is possible to avoid trouble and reduce the risk of infection if you have a permanent sexual partner and use a condom. After contact, you should immediately take a shower and put on dry clothes. Natalia Cherevko considers the discussion of the partner's STI status and compliance with the rules of contraception to be the basis for prevention.
— Adolescents and young adults are at risk, as they often change sexual partners and are poorly informed about barrier protection methods. First sexual intercourse and frequent partner changes increase the likelihood of inflammation. Without proper protection and hygiene, the risks increase," says Natalia Cherevko.
Psychiatrist and sexologist Alexey Vilkov emphasizes that people who seek sex in various public places, such as beaches and swimming spots, usually want to get a thrill. For them, such "romance" is a kind of adventure for the sake of strong emotions.
— This is most often typical of young people who, due to infantilism and instability of character, are looking for an adrenaline rush, — comments Alexey Vilkov. — Another option is when a stable couple with certain character traits decides to commit such violations of public order in order to diversify their intimate life if passion has already been reduced.
People sometimes have high hopes for such leisure time, believing that it will help them to revive relationships, get new strong emotions and increase mutual attraction. However, the sexologist doubts the positive effect of such a "remedy" — it does not always have a positive effect.
—Having sex in public places usually increases anxiety in both men and women, and this affects the quality of an erection,— the psychiatrist warns. — As a result, instead of successful sexual intercourse, there may be a fiasco and mutual disappointment. Therefore, this method is not suitable for everyone.
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