| On a blistering hot summer day, most people don't | | | | cause of hepatitis A transmission. However, this liver |
| think twice about jumping into a pool for a refreshing | | | | infection may also be lurking much closer to home - in |
| swim to cool off. Whether it's a community pool, a | | | | your swimming pool. |
| neighbor's, or even the one in your very own | | | | As much as we'd all like to believe it doesn't happen, |
| backyard, swimming pools harbor some health | | | | there are times when fecal matter gets into pool |
| hazards you should be aware of, especially if you | | | | water. This happens more often with young children. |
| already suffer from liver disease. | | | | When this occurs, the water becomes contaminated |
| You may already know that hepatitis B and C are | | | | and the possibility of hepatitis A infection grows. |
| transmitted through direct blood contact. But another | | | | But how can you tell if the water you're about to |
| strain of this virus, hepatitis A, is transmitted in a | | | | jump into has been contaminated? If it's your own |
| very different way - through fecal matter. | | | | pool, be diligent about sanitation and chlorination to |
| Sometimes you'll hear about hepatitis A being spread | | | | keep your water in the best shape possible. If it's a |
| through contaminated food at restaurants, which is | | | | community pool, a quick evaluation will tell you how |
| likely the cause behind those signs you see in | | | | clean the water is; some things to look for are the |
| restaurant bathrooms that say "All employees must | | | | clarity of the water, the feel of the pool walls, and |
| wash their hands." Poor personal hygiene is a primary | | | | the smell it gives off. |