Letter R

Recreational water illness

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An illness that is spread by swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, decorative water fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans.

Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including skin, ear, respiratory, eye, and wound infections.

The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea.

Diarrheal RWIs can be caused by germs such as Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium), Giardia, Shigella, and E. coli O157:H7

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The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice in any way.

  • It does not replace the advice of a physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
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  • In case of symptoms, doubts or concerns about your health, always consult a qualified physician.

In case of emergency call 911 (US) or 112 (EU).