Are microbes or insects in swimming water unhealthy?

Can microbes, insects, or insect larvae in swimming water in North America be a threat if not ingested? I just heard someone say that people should not swim in streams or lakes because insects or microbes could be a health threat even if the water is not ingested. I never heard that before.

Depends on the microbe, depends on the insect, depends on the larvae.
Microbes are in all water, air, animals, etc. YOU CANNOT ESCAPE! However most of these are not bad. But yes if they are the bad microbes(a.k.a the ones that make fun of your haircut and play loud micro-music while you read) then ya, but not if they don't get in your body. However, lots of microbes do get into these bodies of water through waste contamination among other things.
The truth is it's gonna be hard NOT to get the microbes in you if you swim in the water. Because chances are you will ingest some unintentionally. Even if you don't they can still get in through your mouth even if you don't swallow, or they can go through your eyes, nose, etc. Avoiding this is at best unlikely, unless you don't swim.

If not they will still get on your skin, and then if you wipe your eyes, nose, mouth, etc (even when your arms are dry), the microbes will be able to enter your body. One way, or another...
Insects i don't think are as much of a threat THEMSELVES, but if something like a fly has touched dung and then the water, you can bet disease microbes have probably transfered from the fly to the water.
Same with larvae.

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Water Swimming Article

Swimming: Fitness, Recreation & A Social activity

 

Swimming is an activity which takes place in the medium of water which due to its weight bearing properties, is an ideal medium for exercise without stress on joints. It is probably the best form of all round activity for people of all ages. 

 

1. It is an aerobic exercise due to the relatively long exercise times, requiring a constant oxygen supply to the muscles, except for short sprints where the muscles work anaerobically. Its practice helps improve your breathing.   

 

Swimming is a popular recreational activity, particularly in hot countries and in areas with natural watercourses. It is also a crucial part of other sports, such as water polo, synchronized swimming and triathlon. Swimming is also done for health purposes, as for example rehabilitation after injuries.

 

Swimming is considered a sport with a low risk of injury. It is one of the most effective low-impact exercises there is, and lap-swimming is the total workout.  Swimming is an outstanding activity for young people that promotes fitness and teaches children to strive for physical achievement. It is great for those recuperating from injuries or living with arthritis. Swimming is one of the few activities that are suitable for almost any person, no matter what their age, athletic ability, or goal. It is an aerobic exercise that works the entire body. 

 

Swimming is also popular with people who are overweight. Swimming is also good because it strengthens the abdomen, back and shoulders. It is a great form of all round exercise as it improves strength, stamina & flexibility all in one. Swimming is healthy, swimming is social, swimming is for life and perhaps more importantly, it is fun. 

 

Swimming is a skill that's not only enjoyable and good for your health; it can also save your life. Swimming is a healthy activity that you can continue for a lifetime. It is a great recreational activity for people of all ages. It is a great workout because you need to move your whole body against the resistance of the water. Swimming is a good all-round activity because it keeps your heart rate up but takes some of the impact stress off your body. It builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. It helps maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs. Swimming also tones muscles and builds strength. It provides an all-over body workout, as nearly all of your muscles are used during swimming. 

 

Swimming is a healthy, low-cost activity that you can continue throughout your life.  It is a great way to lose weight, build muscles and it burns fat like no other activity with a whole lot of fun. Swimming is one such sport where you can maintain elevated heart rate for 20 or more minutes. It is especially useful for people who are overweight, pregnant, or with leg or lower back problems. Swimming is a great sport for people of all ages and all proficiency levels. 

 

Exercise

 

Athletes from other sports often use swimming or exercise in water as an aid to recovery. Because when you are in the pool you don't heat up as much as you do on land and your body does not have to work to cool you down as much once the exercise session concludes.  Swimming is an excellent exercise that helps maintain your body is shape without the strain of an aerobic workout and with the same results. 

 

While other aerobic exercises can burn fat and help lose weight, this effect works better in swimming. If you are tired of the track, treadmill, weights, or other land based exercises, then swimming workouts is a great way to vary your exercise routine. 

 

Once your doctor gives you the "OK" to swim as an exercise, you will need a swimsuit that fits you comfortably and that won't need adjusting during exercise. Upper body support is useful when doing kicking exercises. A pull-buoy is helpful to hold your legs still while you focus on upper-body exercises.

 

Caution : Check with a doctor before beginning your exercise program, especially if you are pregnant or have chronic back, joint, heart, or inner-ear problems. 

 

Also, fitness exercise in water can be done more often because of the low incidence of high-impact injuries and is more effective because movement in water has 12 times greater resistance than movement in air. For the elderly, water fitness is safe, fills the need for exercise, increases a body's range of motion and is a low-impact exercise. The heart puts out just as much blood as in other exercises because it pumps more volume with each stroke, but more slowly.

 

 

Fitness

 

Swimming improves your level of Fitness. It increases your stamina.  By training on a regular basis, and increasing the effort over a period of time, a person increases their own fitness level. Regular swimming builds endurance, muscle strength and cardio-vascular fitness. It is great for general fitness, just not a great way to drop excess pounds. 

 

It is a sport for all age groups, skill and fitness levels.  Great for overall fitness, heart health and when done in a sustained manner can be your Ideal Weight Loss Exercise. 

 

Health

 

When you feel fit and healthy, you have a more positive approach to life.  Keep in mind that the more times you do this Cardio Exercise in a week, the higher your health benefits will be. There are many health benefits of swimming, yet basic swimming skills and safety precautions are needed to participate in water activities. 

 

 

By : Pradeep Mahajan

 

About the Author

Author is a free-lance writer. He is an engineer-MBA and management consultant by profession & practice. Also visit www.health-fitness-wellness.com for more useful & interesting information on health, fitness & wellness.
This article is available for reprint on your website and/or in your newsletter, provided it is not changed and you include the author's web-site address.

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