Sickness Guidelines

Not every illness needs to keep you or your child from swimming, but swimmers must not attend a training session or competition if: -

  • They have something that can be passed on to other swimmers, volunteers, or coaching staff
  • They have been advised not to swim by a healthcare professional (e.g. doctor, nurse)
  • They are too unwell to safely complete an activity or session
  • Have diarrhoea (see below)

Some people (e.g. pregnant women, young babies, people with reduced immunity etc.) are more vulnerable to certain infection and so it is important that parents let the club know if a swimmer has an infection especially if they have: -

  • Chicken pox or shingles
  • Cold sores or herpes infection
  • Slapped cheek
  • Rubella

If in doubt, a parent/guardian should seek professional medical advice regarding returning to swimming.

Preventing Infections spreading

To prevent infections spreading among swimmers they should: -

  • Shower before getting in the pool
  • Wash their hands after going to the toilet
  • Not swim if they have diarrhoea
  • Not swim if they have an open wound or recent piercing that cannot be covered with a waterproof plaster
  • Not Pee or Poo in the pool
  • Not share towels
  • Avoid swallowing the water
  • Dry thoroughly, including their ears and between toes, after swimming

Tiredness

If a swimmer is noticeably tired or feels ill, they will be directed to leave the pool and rest. If a swimmer wishes to leave the poolside, they should not be allowed to return to the changing rooms alone but should arrange for a parent / guardian to meet with them.

Specific Conditions

This is not an exhaustive list. Parents are advised to seek professional medical advice for the management of illness.

Diarrhoea and vomiting

Most diarrhoea and vomiting illnesses are caused by infections that are highly contagious. The organisms that cause diarrhoeal infections are not always killed by chlorination in swimming pools and so germs can be easily spread in pools.

A swimmer MUST NOT swim in a pool whilst unwell and for 48 hours after symptoms have gone (i.e. diarrhoea or infectious vomiting).

Cryptosporidium

If a swimmer has been diagnosed with or suspected of having cryptosporidium, a parasitic infection spread by contaminated water including from swimming pools and open water swimming, the swimmer MUST NOT swim for 2 weeks after symptoms have gone.

Cough & Cold Symptoms

Coughs and colds are caused by viral infections and easily spread from contact with infected droplets (e.g., from direct contact, inhaling droplets etc.).

A person is infectious from a few days from the start of symptoms up to 2 weeks.

A swimmer with a cold can swim provided they feel well enough to complete the session.

Chickenpox & shingles

Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that can make some vulnerable people (e.g. those with low immunity, pregnant women, babies) seriously unwell. People with chickenpox are contagious from up to 72 hours before the rash appears and until all the rash has dried up. It is important that you inform the club if a swimmer develops chicken pox.

A swimmer MUST not swim whilst unwell and cannot return to swimming until all lesions have dried and scabbed over (usually 5 to 6 days from the start of the rash).

Shingles is reactivation of chickenpox virus. Although you cannot catch shingles from someone else, someone who has not had chicken pox can get chickenpox from someone with shingles.

The infection is passed by contact with the fluid from the blisters if they are weeping. To prevent spread swimmers should not swim when they have weeping blisters that cannot be covered. They should also not share clothes or towels.

Verrucas and warts

Warts and verrucas are caused by human papilloma virus. They can be spread to other people by contaminated surfaces (e.g., towels, changing room floors, areas around swimming pools etc.), or through close skin contact.

A swimmer is more likely to get infected if their skin is wet or damaged.

If a swimmer has a verruca or wart, they can still swim but must reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others by: -

  • covering the verruca or wart with a plaster or verruca sock whilst swimming
  • not sharing towels, shoes, fins etc.
  • covering feet (e.g., wearing flip flops or shoes) in the changing rooms

Molluscum contagiosum (water warts)

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that causes water warts (small, raised papules with a dimple in the middle). Although harmless and self-resolving it can be spread by close direct contact or contact with contaminated objects.

If a swimmer has molluscum contagiosum they can still swim but must reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others by: -

  • Covering the lesions with a plaster
  • Not sharing towels, clothes etc.

Fungal infections

  • Athletes foot - Athletes foot is a common fungal infection spread by direct contact and from contaminated surfaces such as areas around swimming pools and changing rooms.
  • Ringworm - Ringworm is a fungal infection that can affect any area of skin and is spread from direct contact and from contaminated surfaces.

To prevent spread of fungal infections: -

  • Do not swim until 24 hours after starting treatment
  • Cover affected areas (e.g. use a plaster, wear flip-flops on poolside etc.)
  • Do not share towels

Conjunctivitis (Pink-eye)

Avoid swimming as pool water is likely to irritate the condition.

Covid

Stay at home until you feel better or do not have a high temperature.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Do not swim until a minimum of 20 days after all blisters are healed.

Impetigo

Do not swim until the sores have healed.

Influenza

Do not swim until all signs of the illness have gone.

Lice

Do not swim until all signs of the lice and eggs (nits) have gone.

Measles (Rubella)

Do not swim until after a minimum of 4 days from onset of a rash.

Meningitis

Do not swim until signs of the condition have gone.

Scarlet fever

Do not swim until: -

  • After 24 hours after treatment commenced
  • No fever for a minimum of 24 hours

Good Hygiene Practice

Handwashing is one of the most important ways of controlling the spread of infections, especially those that cause diarrhoea and vomiting, and respiratory disease.

The recommended method is the use of liquid soap, warm water, and paper towels.

Always wash your hands: -

  • After using the toilet
  • Before eating
  • Before handling food
  • After handling animals

Cover all cuts and abrasions with waterproof dressings.

Coughing and sneezing easily spreads infections. Children and adults should be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue. Wash hands after using or disposing of tissues.

Respiratory, skin & eye irritation following swimming or working poolside

Chlorine is used in pools and other chlorinated aquatic venues to kill germs, but when it binds to the body waste swimmers bring into pools (for example, sweat and urine) it can form chemicals called chloramines. Chloramines in the water, like dichloramine and trichloramine, irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract (including the nose) when they let off gas from the water and into the air above, particularly indoors.

Our host pool is monitored and tested in accordance with the Normal operating procedure and recommended guidance to minimise the risk of chloramines. They have also agreed to ensure fans are switched on in the pool area during club activity.

Swimmers can help minimise chloramines by: -

  • Take a rinse under a shower before getting into the water.
    • swimmers should be wet before they get into the water. Even a quick rinse shower removes much of the body waste that helps form chloramines.
  • NOT entering the water when they have diarrhoea.
    • A minimum of 48 hours post symptoms prior to returning to swimming.
  • Use the toilet before getting into the water.
  • Wear a swim hat while in the water.
  • NOT to urinate or defecate in the water.