How to protect your family from waterborne illnesses this summer

With summer just around the corner, chances are you and your family will be spending more time in the water.

Here are some tips to avoid getting sick from waterborne illnesses. 

Contaminated water can be found in swimming pools, water parks, lakes, rivers, and oceans.   

Cryptosporidium is one of the most frequent causes of waterborne disease in the U.S. It's the germ that causes diarrhea and can survive for days even in chlorinated pools.

Swimmer's ear is an infection that develops when contaminated water sits in the ear canal for a long period of time. It can cause pain and discomfort.

To decrease the chances of an infection, never put pool water in your mouth.

The CDC recommends staying out of the pool if you have diarrhea. And always try to shower before and after swimming.