Bathing fun in Corona times

Florian Tiefenböck studied human medicine at the LMU Munich. In March 2014, he joined as a student and has supported the editorial team with medical articles ever since. After receiving his medical license and practical work in internal medicine at the University Hospital Augsburg, he has been a permanent member of the team since December 2019 and, among other things, ensures the medical quality of the tools.

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Can I get Corona while bathing? The infection doctor Fickenscher from Kiel and the Federal Environment Agency see hardly any risks in the water itself. However, compliance with the distance rules on the beach and when swimming is of central importance.

With nice weather and the start of summer this weekend, the bathing season is also picking up speed. The school holidays will start in some federal states in the next few weeks. Many who want to swim are unsure of the risk of infection with the new corona virus in the water. What should you watch out for?

Risk of transmission low

"According to previous scientific knowledge, the risk of transmission in the water itself is extremely low because of the strong dilution or because of the chlorination," said the infection medicine specialist Prof. Helmut Fickenscher in Kiel. But this is only one aspect. "The situation on the beach and the density of people in the water are of great importance."

The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) also considers a transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via the water when bathing to be extremely unlikely. "So far, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no evidence that this virus is transmitted via water."

Corona virus possible in bathing water, but hardly dangerous

According to the UBA, it is possible for coronaviruses to enter bathing waters through infected people. “It is not clear whether an infection is possible this way.” As Fickenscher also sums up the UBA: “The probability of infection is extremely low, partly because of the dilution in the water.” The main transmission routes for these infections are direct person-to-person transmissions via virus-containing transmissions Droplet.

"Rising water temperatures and increased solar radiation in summer will lead to an even stronger inactivation of viruses that may have entered the water," the UBA predicted in March. Fickenscher added that hardly any corona viruses should get into bathing waters via sewage treatment plants. Because SARS-CoV-2 cannot survive long in water as an enveloped virus - in contrast to the non-enveloped viruses such as noroviruses that exist in wastewater.

Distance and hygiene rules are most important

The UBA underlines the central importance of observing the distance and hygiene rules on the beach, on the lawns of bathing establishments and of course also in the water: on land is of major importance for the protection of infections. "

"Basically, people who suffer from an acute respiratory infection or diarrhea should not go swimming in order not to endanger other bathers." This applies regardless of the potential pathogens involved.

Differences in the body of water?

When it comes to the question of whether you can get infected while having fun in the pool, many also deal with the question: Are there differences between chlorinated water in bathing establishments and pools, fresh and salt water, standing or flowing, shallow or deep water?

Chlorinated water: Here the experts see the lowest risk of infection in the water, but they emphasize the importance of the distance rules also in the swimming pool or pool.

Fresh and salt water: Fickenscher is not aware of any studies as to whether the novel coronavirus can survive longer in fresh or salt water. In general, this virus is unlikely to survive long in water.

Shallow or deep water: "The greater the dilution, the lower the risk of infection in the water," emphasized Fickenscher. In this respect, the theoretical risk of getting infected in the water is a little higher for many bathers in a very flat bank area. The decisive factor, however, is whether the distance rules are adhered to at the edge of the water or in shallow waters. "Because basically the situation there is like on land."

Lakes and rivers: According to Fickenscher, no clear statement can be made here either. "But of course it can be assumed that the dilution happens faster in flowing waters than in still waters such as lakes or bathing ponds - and thus the risk of infection in the water itself is lower."

Tips for swimming

"Observe the distance rules on land and in the water, avoid overcrowded bathing areas," advises Fickenscher as a central rule of conduct. “It is also less risky to swim outdoors than indoors, since aerosols are practically irrelevant as a means of transmission outdoors. And the greatest theoretical risk of infection lurks because of the moisture and the aerosols where showers in sanitary rooms are too close together, ”said Fickenscher. (ft / dpa)

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