Skip Navigation Links
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Home
CDC Home CDC Home Search Health Topics A-Z
Healthy Swimming
Site Contents
Audiences
General Public
Aquatics Staff
Health Professionals
Travelers
En Español
Specific Information
Brochures
Fact Sheets
Posters
Questions and Answers
Prevention Steps
Newsletters for Aquatics Staff
Disinfection and Operation Guidelines
Technical Information
Outbreak Response
Oceans, Lakes, and Rivers
State Information
DPD Home
Division of Parasitic Diseases

 

Navigation Bar Home Contact Us Division of Parasitic Diseases

Two boys in colorful goggles play on a raft in a pool.When You Swim, Swim Healthy!

Swimming, one of the most popular activities in the country, is a fun, active, and healthy way to spend leisure time. Every year, millions of people visit “recreational water” sites, such as swimming pools, water parks, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, or the ocean.

Over the past century, the use of modern disinfection systems in pools and environmental improvements in our lakes, rivers, and oceans has improved the quality of recreational water. Despite this, there has been an increase over the past decade in the number of outbreaks of illness associated with swimming.

This Web site provides information for swimmers, pool operators, and public health professionals to improve the swimming experience by raising awareness about the spread of recreational water illnesses (RWIs). Practicing "Healthy Swimming" behaviors should reduce the risk of getting ill. Click on the links below to learn more about RWIs.

Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) What are RWIs? How are RWIs spread? Why doesn't chlorine kill RWI germs? Where are RWIs spread? How can we prevent RWIs? Who is most likely to get ill from an RWI?

Put the mouse on the life preservers in the image below to view six "PLEAs" that promote healthy swimming.

Plea 6 Plea 1 Plea 2
Plea 5 Plea 4 Plea 3
What's New in 2004
item Latest RWI Outbreak Tracking Summary
item Norovirus at a Swimming Club
item Aseptic Meningitis Among Pool Users
item Poster: Shower Before Swimming
item Latest Spa Inspection Results
item Swimming Pool/Spa Interactive Training CD-ROM for Inspectors
picture of a girl
item Brochure
picture of a girl
item Take the
  Healthy Swimming IQ quiz
Protect yourself and your family from injury and chronic disease
item Drowning
item Drowning Prevention: Quick Tips (PDF, 40 KB)
item Safe Boating
item Physical Activity
item Preventing Electrocutions in or around Swimming Pools
item Sun exposure, sunburn, and skin cancer

  Top of Page

 

Home | Contact Us

CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

This page last reviewed July 26, 2004

Division of Parasitic Diseases
National Center for Infectious Diseases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Privacy Policy | Accessibility