One of the common questions I get from swimming pool owners that, can swimming pools cause UTI, ear, or yeast infections.

Unfortunately yes, swimming pools can cause UTIs, yeast infections, or ear infections. So you need to know why it happens, what’s the solution if your swimming pool causes you UTI or yeast infection, and how you can prevent that from happening.

UTI means Urinary Tract Infection, but however, if you maintain good hygiene then you can reduce the chances of getting UTI or yeast infection.

Swimming is the most common hobby all around the world but if you don’t want to swim in bacteria and infested pools then you need to know everything about swimming pool maintenance.

In this article, we will discuss the reasons behind yeast or UTI infections in the swimming pool, how you can clean the pool for UTI, and how you can prevent it in the future.

Let’s get started.

Table Of Contents

Swimming Pool and UTI

As I said before, UTI is a Urinary tract infection that can occur in the kidney, urethra, and bladder.

Common symptoms of UTI are a burning sensation when you pee, the need to pee more often cloudy or bloody pee, and pain in your abdomen or lower back.

So if you don’t clean or remove bacteria from your swimming pool then the pool tends to cause UTIs or other infections.

Bacteria or yeast growth in your pool can cause you UTI because the swimming pool itself can’t give you UTI, it’s the bacteria in the water that can give you UTI>

Also Read: Can You Run Pool Robot While Shocking Pool?

How Do Swimming Pools Cause UTI?

If the bacteria enter your body through the urinary tract or genitals then it can give your UTI.

And how do you know you have UTI? What are the symptoms?

  • Bloody or Cloudy Urine
  • Painting While you Pee
  • Burning Sensation When you Pee
  • Urge to pee more
  • Pain in the lower abdominal

And pregnant women are most likely to get UTI in the swimming pool.

Every swimming pool is different, in its material, type, and built quality.

There are total three types of pools: chlorine pool or backyard pool, public swimming pool, and saltwater swimming pool.

We will take these pools one by one and explain how they can cause you UTI and what you should do.

Also Read: Can You Swim With Robotic Pool Cleaner

Can Swimming Pool Cause UTI?

As I said before it depends on the type of swimming pool so there are mainly three types of swimming pools.

  • Chlorine Pools
  • Pubic Swimming Pools
  • Salt Water Pools

Let’s have a look at these pools one by one.

Can Salt Water Pools Cause UTI?

One of the most popular swimming pool designs in the united states is private saltwater pools.

But do saltwater pools cause UTIs?

No, saltwater pools do not cause UTIs because the salt in salt water can kill all types of bacteria and infections.

So there is a very low chance that saltwater pools can cause yeast or UTI infection.

Just maintain good hygiene while you swim in a saltwater pool.

Can Public Swimming Pools cause UTI?

If you don’t have a backyard pool in your home and you visit public swimming pool then there is a high chance you can have UTI or other infections.

Because swimming with large groups of strangers can increase the chances of bacteria growth in public pools.

Just practice good hygiene when you swim in public pools.

Can Chlorine Pools Cause UTI?

Most pools in the united states are chlorine pools, all backyard pools have chlorine water.

But can backyard pools or chlorine pools cause UTIs?

You need to understand this, the purpose of adding chlorine to the water is to kill the bacteria in pool water.

So there are meager chances that a chlorine pool can develop infections and cause you UTI but if you don’t maintain hygiene in your swimming pool and do not clean it once in a week then your chlorine pool can also cause you UTI>

Can You Swim with UTI?

No, you can’t swim with UTI. so if you already have a UTI infection then swimming in pool water with bacteria can make it even worse.

Because your UTI infection can increase if you swim in bacteria-rich water.

But if your pool is clean and do not have any infections or bacteria but if you still have UTI then you can swim with UTI because UTIs aren’t infectious so they won’t pass to anyone.

Just practice some hygiene exercises when you swim with UTI.

  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated when swimming.
  • Do not urinate in the water if you already have a UTI infection because it will spread the bacteria in the overall pool.

If you just follow these practices then you can swim with UTI.

How to Prevent or Reduce the Risk of Infection While Swimming.

  • Avoid Urinating in the Pool
  • For Private Pools Make sure chlorine levels are correct
  • Change your swimming clothes when you do
  • Take a shower before you enter the pool
  • Clean the filter regularly 
  • Drink water during swimming
  • Always vacuum, clean, and shock your pool for maintaining your poo

Final Words

Usually swimming pool itself won’t cause you UTI, it happens because of the bacteria in the swimming pool water.

So if there is the growth of bacteria or yeast in your pool then you need to immediately remove or clean the pool.

Because maintaining the swimming pool clean and safe is a very difficult task but you need to learn this if you have a private pool.

And always maintain good hygiene while you swim because urinating in a swimming pool can also cause bacteria growth.

Use chlorine in the right amount to kill all bacteria in your swimming pool.

Vacuum and shock your swimming pool at least a week to maintain your pool clean, safe, and debris free.

If you have any questions regarding swimming pools and UTIs then you can ask them in the comment section of this article.