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Infection/parasite from OWS?

jpmarchewkajpmarchewka
in General Training Discussions
Has anyone gotten a parasite or stomach infection from doing open water swims? I have been feeling absolutely awful this past week and have all the symptoms of a stomach parasite. Headed to the doctor in the morning. Any experience of what I can do on my end to get this out of my system. Also, from a training standpoint...obviously if I have a parasite I should not swim for a bit. With Steelhead 70.3 in 15 days should I use the stretch cords 2x-3x a week to try and at least keep some fitness?

Comments

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    I've gotten a sinus infection, but not anything worse than that (yet). And Texas lakes aren't great, so I'll take that as a win!
  • Nate ParadyNate Parady
    I swim OWS only for the past 3 years and have no parasites that I know of...let us know what the doctor says. I'm curious.

    are parasites really that common compared to you just having a virus of some sorts?
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    No experience and I've done a lot of OWS. However, I did get a tetanus shot last week in preparation for IM Louisville.
  • Tom GlynnTom Glynn
    Our local swimming "lake" gets pretty bad as the water temperatures rise during the summer months. I always hear about skin rashes and occasionally stomach issues. Parasites mostly image.

    A couple of links here:
    stomach issues: http://www.medicinenet.com/recreational_water_illnesses_rwis/article.htm
    skin issues: http://www.ebparks.org/Assets/_Nav_Categories/Activities/Swimming/SWIMMERS+Itch+-+EBRPD.pdf
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough

    Almost every year in Florida someone will die from some strange parasite that only survives in very warm water.  That would be like 1 out of millions who are swimming.  You are much more likely to get attacked by a shark or a gator and even that is rare. 

     Rule number 1 is do NOT swim OWS if you have any cuts on you where bacteria/virus might penetrate.  Even rarer are brain-eating amoeba's, which can enter the system if water is forced up the nose (diving, water skiing, etc.) - not likely from swimming.  From WebMD - 60% of cases occur in kids under 13, and 80% in males.  Speculation is that males and kids are more likely to do something that would force water up the nose.

  • katzdzkkatzdzk
    I got a parasite last year, but I'm not sure if it was from OWS. Symptoms coincided with the end of race season (starting around September), so it's very possible it got into my system after swimming in the Hudson River during the NYC Tri. I went to a few drs until finally getting tested. I used a few forms of herbal parasite "meds" that really did the trick. I felt better within 2 weeks and did about 3 months of cleansing to make sure it was fully gone. It was life changing as soon as the herbs kicked in. I also included some strong probiotics. Let me know if you need any recommendations.
  • Brad MarcusBrad Marcus
    My local swimming pond is also a town "beach" with lifeguards, lots of kids, etc. I'd seen it closed a few times over the years as they do frequent water testing and found it unsafe for whatever reason, usually when temps get warmer. Just this past week, 20-30 kids in my town came down with some kind of stomach bug (vomiting, diarrhea, fever and all the good stuff). In almost all cases, the parents claimed that the kids had recently swam at the pond. However, the parks and recs dept claims they tested the water and everything is safe. Needless to say, I've decided not swim there for now with my race around the corner too.

    Feel better Jordan!
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