Question 1

i was swimming in a river and accidently swallowed some water, am i risk for giardiasis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Giardia lives in freshwater streams and has been reported in colorado. However, giardia is not present in every river. Signs of giardiasis included bloating and diarrhea. It can be tested in stool samples and when the diagnosis is in doubt endoscopy can be performed. Giardia if present can be treated with antibiotics.

Question 2

the water in the river looks clean, can i still catch giardiasis if i drink it?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If a cow or racoon(or camper) did his/her poopy up stream there is the possibility that microscopic giardia cysts were part of that load.Boil the water for ten minutes & avoid the risk.

Question 3

hey today i fell in a river, a dirty one with rotten fish everywhere, and i swallowed a fair amount of water, will i be ok? qua bacteria and stuff

Accepted Answer

Probably low risk: This certainly sounds unpleasant, and there may be a risk of infection, especially if the river is contaminated with human waste. But most such events don't cause any problem and there's not much that can be done now. Be on the alert for symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If none of these in the next few days, don't worry about it.

Question 4

over the summer i went swimming in a river. i did go underwater, and have learned of this brain eating amoeba? i dont recall having symptoms after this, but im worried. am i safe? could i have got this brain amoeba any other way or just from water?

Accepted Answer

: No worries. This sort of problem is extremely rare, maybe nonexistent in UK. If you were infected, you would have been deadly ill within few days.

Question 5

i have an allergic reaction (nasal congestion, sneezing) after swimming in fresh water (lake or river) when water gets into my nose/eyes, but not in the ocean. what can i do to reduce avoid a reaction, but still be able to swim?

Accepted Answer

Antihistamine pill +: Antihistamine pill such as cetirizine or loratadine 1 or 2 a day. Also steroid nose spray such as flutacasone once a day.

Question 6

when children swallow swimming pool water, can it make them sick?

Accepted Answer

Pool water: If the pool is properly maintained and the water properly treated, the liklihood of serious illness is minimal. If non-toilet trained infants/children are swimming, transmission of giardiasis, cryptosporidium and enteroviruses ( echo virus and coxsackie virus) all causes of diarrheal illness is possible.

Question 7

son, 5y, was swimming in lake mi today & swallow/choke on water due to lg waves. late afternoon, he became cold & was coughing but stopped now. worry?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Just keep an eye on him and if the cough worsens or he develops a fever you should take him to his doctor.

Question 8

i accidentally swallowed some swimming-pool water should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

Not at all: No worries at all.

Question 9

i went swimming today and may have swallowed some water. since then, i've felt some fatigue(which is normal)and some stomaches(not normal), am i okay?

Accepted Answer

Get checked: Get a quick check up. if the water gets into your lungs, it could cause some injury which can affect your breathing and your oxygenation. And the fatigue may be an early symptom.
Getting checked in an urgent care center or emergency room is the best thing to do so you can prevent getting into worse problems. tell your parents soon.

Question 10

headache after swimming swallowed some chlorine water, 8 yr old?

Accepted Answer

Swimming headache: Not sure if chlorine water ingestion is the cause of the headache. If it is, observe, have him rest, given Acetaminophen or ibuprofen. 
If it is caused by another reason and not severe, the above approach should help as well.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Swimming river accidently swallowed water giardiasis

A member asked:

I was swimming in a river and accidently swallowed some water, am i risk for giardiasis?

A member asked:

The water in the river looks clean, can i still catch giardiasis if i drink it?

A member asked:

Hey today i fell in a river, a dirty one with rotten fish everywhere, and i swallowed a fair amount of water, will i be ok? qua bacteria and stuff

A member asked:

Over the summer i went swimming in a river. i did go underwater, and have learned of this brain eating amoeba? i dont recall having symptoms after this, but im worried. am i safe? could i have got this brain amoeba any other way or just from water?

A member asked:

I have an allergic reaction (nasal congestion, sneezing) after swimming in fresh water (lake or river) when water gets into my nose/eyes, but not in the ocean. what can i do to reduce avoid a reaction, but still be able to swim?

A member asked:

When children swallow swimming pool water, can it make them sick?

A member asked:

Son, 5y, was swimming in lake mi today & swallow/choke on water due to lg waves. late afternoon, he became cold & was coughing but stopped now. worry?

A member asked:

I accidentally swallowed some swimming-pool water should i be worried?

A member asked:

I went swimming today and may have swallowed some water. since then, i've felt some fatigue(which is normal)and some stomaches(not normal), am i okay?

A member asked:

Headache after swimming swallowed some chlorine water, 8 yr old?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?