As fun as it sounds to jump in a creek or river, an infectious disease expert says cases of water-related infections tend to rise during the summer months.
Dr. Ali Hassoun, an infectious disease specialist, says there’s always some risk when you’re swimming in natural bodies of water, whether it’s a creek, river, lake, or stream. The good news is you don’t have to avoid them, just take some precautions.
He says things like pneumonia, swimmer’s ear, wound infections, and even stomach bugs can happen especially if you swallow water or have open cuts. And for kids, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, the risks are a little higher…