Does Open Water Swims Make you Sick?

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2012-10-17 12:27 PM

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Subject: Does Open Water Swims Make you Sick?

So I live in Florida and it gets very hot here. I am new to the sport and the first sprint I did was in Aug in FL in a lake that was shut down about a month earlier for to high of bacteria.... Then I recently did an open water swim clinic in another warm warm FL lake this past weekend.... Both times about a day or two later I am sick as a dog.... I couldn't help but over hear at a tri meeting that someone got super sick in that same lake i swam in this weekend.... Is there any connection is swimming in lakes that are hot good for you? I have another open water swim this weekend in a different HOT fl lake.... Do I skip it since I have a tri the following week and stick to the pool so I am not sick race week?

Sincerely, 

Sick as a dog!

2012-10-17 1:08 PM
in reply to: #4457693

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Subject: RE: Does Open Water Swims Make you Sick?

Where I live it is much cooler and the lakes probably don't even get to 78.  But a few years ago I did a sprint in Watauga Lake and the water was pretty gross.  When I was running to T1 I thought "I hope I don't get sick."  I'm not sure if I talked myself into it or if I picked up a bacteria, but I did get some mild intestinal distress. 

Maybe someone who knows something about the subject will chime in.  I was just sharing a similar situation.

jami

2012-10-17 1:16 PM
in reply to: #4457768

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Subject: RE: Does Open Water Swims Make you Sick?
thanks! mine have been super bad colds and sore throats... even though i try my hardest I know I am getting a little bit of the water in my mouth when I am swimming...
2012-10-17 2:01 PM
in reply to: #4457693

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Subject: RE: Does Open Water Swims Make you Sick?
Live in FLA too. I don't want any part of small lakes or high bacteria counts. Rather face jellies in ocean. Hot weather, high water temps in FLA and there will be funk.
2012-10-17 2:08 PM
in reply to: #4457693

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Subject: RE: Does Open Water Swims Make you Sick?

I've gotton sick once from swimming in warm open water, maybe coincindental but I don't think so. The warmer the water, the greater growth of bacteria. That was the only time I've gotton sick out of many OWS's. My thought is that time, my immune system wasn't 100%. I'd stay out of the open water if I were you till after the Tri.. Remember, no open wounds in warm OWS's.

2012-10-17 2:09 PM
in reply to: #4457693

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eastleigh
Subject: RE: Does Open Water Swims Make you Sick?
I have Been sick following OWS but I think it's because I take In too much water in my mouth. The guys I swam with didn't get sick and I know I take water in so that's my theory.


2012-10-17 2:30 PM
in reply to: #4457693

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Subject: RE: Does Open Water Swims Make you Sick?
Me too, but in my case I 've been sick after swimming OW after a heavy rain fall. I hate to think what that rain is washing into the lake but I would hazard a guess that there's a fair amount of animal poop at the very least.
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