Can Swimming Pools Cause a UTI? Is it Safe To Swim With One?

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Swimming can be a great way to stay fit. It tends to be very easy on the joints and has a low chance of injury.

But some people report that going swimming has caused them to develop a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). So, can swimming pools cause a UTI?

Going for a pool might increase your chances of developing a UTI. However, if you practice good hygiene and keep the pool well-maintained, you should be able to greatly reduce the chances of getting an infection.

No one wants to get a UTI because they went swimming. To help you prevent this, let’s take a closer look at how these occur and how you can reduce the chances that you develop one.

How Does Swimming Cause A UTI?

As we’ve seen, going swimming might increase your chances of developing a UTI. But how does swimming cause a UTI?

A UTI is caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract. In most cases, this will occur via infection in the genitals. In this case, the bacteria will need to be in the swimming pool to cause the infection.

There are several signs that you might have contracted a UTI. First, you might notice that you have more pain when you urinate. You might also notice your urine is cloudy or has blood.

When you spot these signs, you should make sure to talk to your doctor. They will be able to stop the infection from getting any worse.

However, it’s important to understand why this infection is occurring. It’s the bacteria in the water, not the swimming pool itself that will give you a UTI.

Also, some groups will have a higher chance of developing a UTI. Pregnant women tend to be the most at-risk group for UTIs.

Not every swimming pool is made the same. As a result, the type of pool that you swim in might impact your chances of developing a UTI.

Let’s look at some of the biggest distinctions between the most common types of pools.

Can Salt Water Pools Cause UTI?

One of the most popular pool designs is the saltwater pool, especially for private homes. But can saltwater pools cause UTIs?

The salt in the water will kill the bacteria, reducing your chances of developing a UTI. However, there is still a chance that infection can occur, mainly if you practice poor pool hygiene.

Generally, though, the risk of a UTI is low, making swimming in these pools very safe.

Can Chlorine Pools Cause UTI?

One of the most popular types of pools on the market is chlorine pools. Most backyard pools will rely on chlorine to create a sterile environment.

But can chlorine pools cause UTIs?

The purpose of adding chlorine to the pool is to kill the bacteria, and it tends to be very efficient at this.

For this reason, swimming in these pools tends to carry a very low risk of a UTI.

However, there is still a small chance that you will develop an infection. Thankfully, as we’ll discuss later, there are a few ways that you will be able to reduce this risk further.

Can Public Swimming Pools Cause UTI?

If you don’t have a private pool, you will often need to visit a public swimming pool.

However, this means that you will need to swim with a larger group, many of whom will be strangers. So, can public swimming pools cause UTIs?

Because the number of people who use the pool is higher, the risks of getting a UTI to grow. This is because there is a greater chance that there will be bacteria in the water.

However, the risks of developing a UTI from a public pool remain relatively low, especially if you practice good hygiene to protect yourself.

Can I Go Swimming With A UTI?

As we’ve seen, swimming might give you a slightly higher chance of developing a UTI, especially if you are swimming in a public pool. But what if you’ve already got an infection.

In this case, the last thing you want to do is give it to someone else. So, you need to know can I go swimming with a UTI?

Thankfully, UTIs aren’t infectious. You can go swimming without the risk of passing the UTI on to anyone else.

However, there are a few hygiene practices that you should do to make sure that you don’t accidentally transmit the disease.

First, you should not urinate in the water. This is bad regardless of whether you have a UTI.

But, if you do have an infection, it will help spread the bacteria into the water. From there, it might infect someone else.  

You should also make sure that you drink plenty of water, to make sure that you stay hydrated.

This will ensure that your body can continue to fight the infection, decreasing your recovery time.

Can Swimming Make A UTI Worse?

So, you can feel free to swim in the pool without the risk of giving anyone else a UTI. But, can swimming make a UTI worse?

Thankfully, swimming won’t have any effect on your UTI. It’s not going to make it go away, but it won’t make the infection any worse.

To make sure that you continue to fight the infection, there are a few things that you should do. First, make sure that you drink plenty of water. This will ensure that you stay hydrated.

You’ll also be able to ensure that you continue to take any medications your doctor has prescribed.

This will ensure that your body can continue to fight the infection.

Reducing The Risk Of Infection While Swimming

As we mentioned, there is a chance that you could get a UTI from swimming. However, you will be able to reduce this risk by taking a few simple steps.

First, you should make sure to avoid urinating in the pool. This will increase the number of bacteria in the water, raising the chances that you will be able to get an infection.

Also, if using a private pool, maintain it properly. Often, this means making sure that the chlorine level is correct, so it will kill the bacteria quickly.

However, one of the most important things to do is change out of your swimming clothes once you are finished in the pool.

The longer you stay in these wet clothes, the higher the chance that an infection will develop.

You should also make sure to take a shower before you get in the pool. This will reduce the number of bacteria you bring into the water.

When you get out, shower for at least 60 seconds. This removes any bacteria from your body.

Final Thoughts on Can Swimming Pools Cause a UTI

A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a disease that can often present as pain when urinating.

Swimming might increase the risk you develop this infection, mainly if there are a lot of bacteria in the water.

If you already have a UTI, it’s not contagious, so you can go swimming without the risk of passing it on.

Maintaining your pool well and practicing good hygiene is the best way to avoid getting a UTI.