Can You Really Catch Something from a Public Pool? Here’s What to Know Before You Dive In

There’s nothing quite like cooling off in a public pool when the Florida sun is at full blast. Whether it’s the community pool in your neighborhood, a hotel oasis on vacation, or a water park your kids begged to visit, public pools are a summer staple. But somewhere in the back of your mind, there’s often that lingering question—“Is this water really safe?”

Let’s be honest, most of us have seen things in pools we wish we hadn’t. A floating Band-Aid. A kid with a suspicious runny nose doing cannonballs. Someone sneezing a little too close to the shallow end. The truth is, public pools are shared spaces—and with that comes some risk. That doesn’t mean you have to avoid them altogether. But it does mean being aware of what you can catch, how it happens, and what to do if something doesn’t feel right afterward.

What Can You Actually Catch from a Pool?

Not all germs are killed instantly by chlorine. In fact, some are impressively tough. Germs that cause skin rashes, eye irritation, ear infections, and stomach bugs can thrive in improperly maintained pools—or even well-maintained ones if the conditions are just right. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been tracking these types of infections for years, and the numbers might surprise you. The most common pool-related illnesses include:

• Cryptosporidium (Crypto): This parasite is a leading cause of waterborne illness in the U.S. and is extremely chlorine-resistant. If swallowed, even a small amount can cause watery diarrhea, cramps, and nausea. In 2019, the Florida Department of Health investigated nearly 300 possible and confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis linked to pools statewide
• Giardia: Another parasite that can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal issues, and like Crypto, it’s spread through contaminated water—often by someone swimming while sick.
• Pseudomonas: This bacteria loves warm, wet environments and can cause “hot tub rash” and swimmer’s ear.
• E. coli and Norovirus: These bacteria and viruses can sneak in through fecal contamination and make people very sick.
• Adenovirus: Linked to respiratory infections and even pink eye, this virus can spread via shared pool water.

These aren’t scare tactics—they’re real risks that public health experts pay attention to. But knowing what’s out there helps you prepare rather than panic.

The Problem Isn’t Always the Pool

You might assume a dirty-looking pool is the most dangerous, but that’s not always the case. Even clean-looking water can be a breeding ground for illness if the chlorine level isn’t maintained or if there’s heavy usage and inadequate filtration.

A crystal-clear pool isn’t a guarantee that everything’s in check. Pathogens like Crypto can survive for days in chlorinated water. If a child has a diarrhea accident in the pool (and yes, this happens more than you’d think), even a small amount of fecal matter can introduce parasites that affect multiple swimmers. And here’s the thing—many pool-related illnesses don’t strike immediately. You may not feel sick until a day or two after your swim, making it harder to connect the dots. That’s why it’s important to recognize symptoms early and know when to get them checked out.

Not Every Illness Comes from Swimming

It’s also worth pointing out that public pools come with a lot more than just water. There are shared surfaces—like railings, chairs, and pool toys—that can be hotspots for germs. So even if you’re not swallowing water, you might be touching your face after holding onto a railing someone else coughed into minutes earlier.

Wet towels, flip-flops, and even communal showers can pass along fungal infections like athlete’s foot or ringworm. It’s all part of the same environment, and it’s why your pool habits matter more than you think.

How to Protect Yourself Without Giving Up the Pool

Good news: You don’t have to ditch your summer swim plans. You just need to swim smarter. Knowing a few prevention tips can help reduce your risk dramatically, and most of them are simple enough to teach your kids too.

• Don’t swallow the water (easier said than done with kids, but worth reminding them).
• Shower before and after swimming to rinse off sweat, oils, and germs.
• Avoid the pool if you’ve had diarrhea in the last 48 hours. This is one of the biggest ways parasites are introduced to pool water.
• Check inspection scores or ask the pool staff how often chlorine and pH levels are monitored.
• Wear goggles to protect your eyes and reduce irritation from chlorine.
• Don’t sit around in wet swimsuits for too long. It can encourage bacterial growth, especially for women.

Taking these steps doesn’t make you paranoid—it makes you proactive.

Is That Rash or Cough from the Pool?

Here’s where things can get tricky. Let’s say you or your child swam over the weekend, and now someone has itchy skin, an upset stomach, or a persistent earache. Is it just a coincidence—or a sign of something picked up from the water?

Skin Issues

Rashes that develop shortly after swimming—especially in areas covered by a swimsuit—might be related to Pseudomonas. These can look like red bumps or pimples and may be itchy or painful.

Stomach Troubles

If diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting shows up within a few days of swimming, it’s worth thinking about Crypto or Giardia. These typically resolve on their own, but they can cause dehydration—especially in kids.

Eye or Ear Irritation

Red, itchy eyes could mean more than just chlorine exposure. Swimmer’s ear is another possibility—an infection that occurs when water remains trapped in the ear canal, allowing bacteria to grow.

Respiratory Symptoms

If someone has a sore throat, mild fever, or cough, especially after using a crowded indoor pool, viral infections like adenovirus could be to blame.

When in doubt, it’s always smart to check with a healthcare provider. Many of these conditions are treatable—but they may require specific care.

The Pool Might Be Fine—But Your Immune System Matters Too

Something that doesn’t get talked about enough is how individual immune systems play a role in how people react to pool exposure. One person might swim in the same pool and feel perfectly fine, while another ends up battling a stomach bug.

If you’ve recently had an illness, surgery, or are immunocompromised in any way, you may want to be extra cautious. This also goes for small children, older adults, and people with open cuts or scrapes. These small factors can raise your risk for infection even if the pool is properly treated.

A good rule of thumb? If your body isn’t feeling 100%, maybe skip the pool that day—or at least avoid submerging your face or getting water in your ears and mouth.

Don’t Let a Day at the Pool Turn Into a Week at Home Sick

Most pool days go off without a hitch. But when something feels off afterward, it’s important not to brush it aside. Many pool-related illnesses start with symptoms that seem minor—until they’re not. That’s especially true for kids, who may not be able to fully explain what they’re feeling until it gets worse.

We’ve seen plenty of cases where parents thought a rash would fade on its own or chalked up stomach issues to something their child ate—only to find out that a quick visit to urgent care could have eased discomfort and prevented complications.

If symptoms persist beyond a day or two—or get worse instead of better—getting checked out is the best move.

Convenient Care When You Need It in the Greater Tampa Bay Area 

If your child has developed a rash after swimming, you’re dealing with a lingering earache, or that post-pool stomach bug just won’t go away, TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track is here to help. Our team offers fast, compassionate care for a wide range of minor infections and symptoms, including skin, eye, and gastrointestinal issues that can develop after pool exposure.

Our many locations across the Greater Tampa Bay area serve patients throughout Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties. With our Save My Spot e-Check-in system, you can fill out your forms electronically and enjoy an expedited check-in when you arrive. We’re open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., so you don’t have to wait for care when something feels off.