151 intro think a chlorinated pool is a safe sterile place think again there are a few dangers lurking in a shared pool whether at a gym a community center or even a fancy resort in fact outbreaks of illnesses from hot tubs and pools have been increasing in recent years with 90 outbreaks causing 1788 illnesses and one death between 20112012 according to a new report from the centers for disease control and prevention learn what icky things you can pick up plus how to ward them off beat 16 summer health hazards quicklist 1category 3 things you can catch from a pooltitle diarrheaurltextone of the top causes of post swim illness is a parasite called cryptosporidium crypto for short which leads to diarrhea stomach pain and nausea according to the new cdc report of the 69 outbreaks associated with treated water more than half were caused by crypto symptoms can last for up to two weeks the parasite ends up in the water if feces even trace amounts from someone who didnt shower first of an infected person gets in the pool the bug is resistant to chlorine and survives outside the body for long periods protect yourself crypto spreads when you accidentally swallow contaminated pool water or you touch your mouth before washing your hands dont touch your face until youve had your postswim shower with soap and hot water 12 swimsuit season diet secrets quicklist 2category 3 things you can catch from a pooltitle pinkeyeurltext burning eyes excessive tearing and redness can occur because of an allergic reaction to chlorine or an infection if the pool isnt chlorinated enough it can also happen if people arent showering before swimming or are ugh peeing in the pool urine as well as cosmetics and other chemicals that can wash off peoples skin can irritate your eyes protect yourself you can shield your eyes from all of this by wearing a pair of wellfitting goggles every time you go for a dip quicklist 3category 3 things you can catch from a pooltitle hot tub rashurltext this is an itchy skin infection that can lead to a bumpy red rash often worse in the areas covered by your bathing suit chlorine can easily kill the germ that causes it but the warm water in a hot tub makes chlorine break down faster so its more likely youd pick it up there protect yourself the risk of hot tub rash goes up the longer the contaminated water touches your skin which is why it seems to show up in areas your wet bathing suit clings to save your dip in the hot tub for the end of your pool day shower and change shortly after your soak and wash your swimsuit before wearing it again 14 health products you probably dont need healths medical editor roshini rajapaksa md is assistant professor of medicine at the nyu school of medicine and cofounder of tula skincare contributed reporting by amelia harnish this