Those cases set off the alarm. But small children, when they have to go to the bathroom, it makes no difference where they are, they'll go. If young children accidentally contaminate a pool, other swimmers who swallow even a microscopic amount of water may become infected. Germs spread through swimming pools can cause serious stomachaches and diarrhea. These germs are of special concern in young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
Chlorine is the most common pool disinfectant and is effective against most germs.
However, some germs, such as Cryptosporidiosis, can be quickly killed only by very high levels of chlorine, levels that would be both uncomfortable and unsafe for the public. To prevent outbreaks this season, the CDC has issued some advice for parents. The CDC also reminds parents not to change diapers poolside and to take children to the bathroom frequently. The CDC says that so-called swim diapers are not leakproof, and parents should not count on them to prevent accidents from leaking into the pool. Undiapered children should never be rinsed off in a pool, according to the agency.