CF Parenting IRL: Assessing the risks - Swimming (all kinds)

I can’t wait to take Arlo swimming - we are booked up for swimming lessons in a few weeks’ time 🏊 Guidance for swimming is actually probably the most consistent and clear although it varies depending on what type of water you’re dealing with 🌊

Ponds and canals - This is a big no. Ponds (especially small ones) due to rotting vegetation, and the fact that the bottom of a pond is essentially in direct contact with the earth. Even more delightful, there is faecal pollution from wildlife, so going in them must be avoided. Canals also usually contain stagnant water that is in direct contact with the canal bed and is equally subject to rotting vegetation and pollution from wildlife (and humans!). So total avoidance is recommended.

Sea - For the most part swimming in the sea is totally fine with precautions like careful washing afterwards. (PsA has been grown out in the open ocean so there is some risk. And sea water is often contaminated by human faeces. (Ewww - I know - sorry!)) Interestingly, in the UK there is a site where you can check the cleanliness of a beach and its bathing water (on gov.uk) which is handy for CF parents in the UK.

Lakes - As with the sea, lakes are generally thought to be safe with precautions - again think careful washing etc.

Swimming pools - As long as the pool is disinfected (usually with chlorine) to recommended levels then this should not be a problem. PsA has been isolated occasionally from both indoor and outdoor public pools but it is pretty rare. It is recommended to take caution with hotels and rented holiday villas that have private pools in case the pool is not treated properly. There are also some ‘natural swimming pools’ that are not chlorinated or sterilised, but rely on biological filters and plants so these will be much higher risk too.