Key Takeaways
Going to the beach might seem like a great way beat this summers heat wave.
The findings were not limited to just one part of the country.
It gets passed into the ocean that way, Johnson-Arbor said.
Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images.
Swimming in fecal-contaminated beach water can increase your chances of gettinggastroenteritis, commonly called stomach flu.
Is Your Beach Contaminated?
But, you should consider checking the beachs water quality levels before going for a swim.
This past week, we had high levels of rainfall in Connecticut and we closed the beaches.
Pascucilla said that bacteria can be flushed out as the tides change, but this is a hyper-local process.
That means how long it takes for the water quality to return to normal varies from place to place.
Dont go swimming if you have diarrhea.
Many beaches have outdoor showers to facilitate this.
So just be safe and plan ahead, Johnson-Arbor said.
It might just take a few days for the bacteria to be flushed out.
Check with the local health department for any updates.
Environment America Research & Policy Center.Safe for swimming?.
Environmental Protection Agency.Learn: what affects human health at the beach.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diarrhea and swimming.
