Swimming or something else?

Question

My daughter likes swimming. Would she benefit from swimming in a pool? I visited the venue, the pool in open aired, but the inside of the building is very humid, with water everywhere. I would say that it is very clean, and there are a lot of people, aged 3-18 years. In the mornings everything is dry, but in the afternoon the situation is chaotic. My daughter wants to go to the pool very much. What should I do? Which criteria should I use, in order to select a sport for my daughter, which she will not have to abandon due to CF? Open spaces, closed spaces…

Answer

Dear friend,
There are so many sports, besides swimming, that your daughter may pick, which have equally beneficial results (e.g. tennis, dancing, etc), depending to what she prefers.
Your daughter will not have to give up swimming, since in the summer she may very well to swimming in the sea. Due to the mild climate of our country, she can easily do that at least 3-4 months every year.
These solutions are not related to the risk of contracting pseudomonas, something that unfortunately cannot be excluded for closed air swimming pools and locker rooms.

Especially, because of the really increased risk of contracting Pseudomonas infection, it is advised not to use yaccuzis and tropical swimming pools. The high temperatures and the bubbling of the water will lead to little aerosols that increase the risk of inhalation and infection with Pseudomonas.
However, concerning a well maintend public pool (well chlorinated and striclty controlled by authorities) the risk of getting Pseudmonas is in a range that
the use of well maintained public pools seems to be appropriate for patients with cystic fibrosis.


Yours friendly,
Dr. Stavros Doudounakis

25.10.2011