Buzz
A beach vacation or holiday is meant to be enjoyable, but it can also harbor some serious health risks if you're not vigilant. While many love to dip their toes in the sand or take a dip in the sea, doing so can sometimes come with unexpected consequences.
Certain harmful bacteria thrive at beaches, and without proper precautions, you might find yourself needing medical attention sooner than expected. Here are 10 dangerous diseases that could be hiding at your favorite seaside destinations.
10. Hepatitis
Viral hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver and typically presents as A, B, or C types. In severe instances, cirrhosis may develop, and some individuals may eventually face cancer. These strains are primarily spread through fecal matter or blood, though improper handling of medical waste could expose beachgoers, surfers, and swimmers to the virus.
The World Health Organization states that hepatitis A is not commonly associated with recreational water, but it is still a potential risk. A 2006 study by San Diego State University found that 79% of water samples tested positive for hepatitis A. Pollution from sewage runoff in the San Diego area is a contributing factor, and vaccination programs are now offered to surfers in the region.
9. Legionnaires’ Disease
The Legionella bacteria thrives in hot tubs as it prefers warm water temperatures ranging from 35°C (95°F) to 46°C (115°F). At the beach, the most likely place to contract Legionnaires’ disease is from a public shower. In 2007, tests of 36 beach showers across Southern Italy revealed that seven of them contained the most common strain of the bacteria.
A study in 2005 discovered 32 different strains of Legionella in seawater off the coast of New England. While these bacteria were not infectious, the study highlights that Legionella finds warm seawater to be an ideal habitat.
Legionnaires’ disease resembles pneumonia and causes symptoms like coughing, fever, and muscle pain, which can last up to two weeks. Though most patients recover with antibiotics, around 15% of cases are fatal.
8. Stomach Bugs
At some point, we've all encountered stomach bugs. However, did you know that beaches can be a hotspot for the pathogens that cause them?
Fecal matter is the leading culprit behind this illness at the beach. Sand samples from various beaches have shown contamination from feces and harmful microbes. These likely stem from nearby sewage treatment facilities or from heavy storms that wash waste from humans and animals into the environment.
These stomach bugs typically cause symptoms like nausea and cramping, which can lead to gastroenteritis. Activities such as digging in the sand can increase the risk of developing diarrhea.
Common pathogens found at the beach include E. coli, Salmonella, and norovirus, which is the most common cause of stomach flu in the United States.
7. Cercarial Dermatitis
Cercarial dermatitis, commonly referred to as swimmer's itch, occurs when a person comes into contact with trematode parasite larvae, resulting in a blotchy skin rash in the affected area. The rash typically appears within 48 hours of exposure and can persist for up to seven days.
These parasites generally infect snails before moving on to birds, though humans can sometimes become incidental hosts. The rash is usually manageable with an antihistamine, and corticosteroid creams may offer additional relief.
6. Flesh-Eating Bacteria
You’ve probably heard about flesh-eating bacteria being found at the beach over the past few years, but the risk of infection is relatively low. According to the CDC, the US sees an average of 95 cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections annually, resulting in 85 hospitalizations and 35 deaths. Around half of these cases come from the Gulf of Mexico's waters.
This bacteria enters the body through open wounds and can cause the skin to break down, leading to ulcers. Raw oysters are another source of the bacteria, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea in those who consume them.
Antibiotics can improve recovery chances, though amputation may be necessary in severe cases. To avoid flesh-eating bacteria, it's best to stay out of the water with open cuts and be cautious when eating shellfish.
5. Hookworms
We love burying our toes in the sand while enjoying a beach vacation, but this can be a way to encounter hookworms. This parasite can be contracted by walking barefoot on soil contaminated with human feces or by swallowing hookworm eggs.
The eggs can spread wherever water moves the soil, which makes the beach an ideal place to find them. These eggs eventually develop into small larvae that seek to attach to animal skin.
Symptoms of hookworm infection may include an itchy rash, abdominal discomfort, nausea, weight loss, and diarrhea. To prevent hookworm infections, wear sandals on the beach, sit on towels when on the ground, and wash your body with soap and water after coming into contact with soil or sand.
If you do contract hookworms, medications like albendazole or mebendazole can effectively treat the condition.
4. MRSA
The warm waters and heavy foot traffic at beaches create a perfect environment for the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. A staph infection typically begins as a small bump that looks like a pimple, but it can develop into a large abscess.
At this stage, the infection can burrow deeper into the body, posing a risk to bones and organs. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia or other serious respiratory conditions. While minor skin infections can usually be treated with antibiotic ointments, more severe cases may require surgery.
Swimmers in subtropical waters have about a 37% chance of encountering a form of staph. A 2012 survey revealed that 1.6% of seawater samples and 2.7% of sand samples contained MRSA. Staph bacteria thrive in saltwater because they consume salt as a vital nutrient, allowing them to survive in marine environments longer than in freshwater.
3. Roundworms
Beachgoers also need to be cautious of roundworms. These parasites primarily reside in the intestines and feces of dogs. Humans typically become infected by accidentally ingesting the eggs, with children being more susceptible than adults.
While beachgoers may not realize they are near the parasite, simply coming into contact with the sand could set the stage for an infection. Symptoms might include nausea, vomiting, coughing, diarrhea, shortness of breath, fever, abdominal discomfort, and even the presence of worms in your stool. There are several medications available that can be prescribed to treat roundworm infections, with many treatments proving to be quite effective.
2. Algae Blooms
While most algae in the ocean are harmless, certain varieties release highly toxic substances. When runoff carries nitrogen and phosphorus into waterways, it triggers population explosions known as blooms.
These toxic algal blooms pose a risk to drinking water. Swimmers may inhale the toxins through water vapor, swallow them, or even absorb them through the skin. Some of these toxins can harm the nervous system, while others can damage the liver.
Touching the algae can lead to skin rashes and sores. Swimmers who inhale or ingest contaminated water may suffer from cramps, diarrhea, nausea, coughing, and ear infections.
Dinoflagellates are the culprits behind the harmful algal blooms, commonly referred to as red tides, in saltwater. The toxins released by these algae can interfere with nerve cells, leading to discomfort in the eyes and throat.
1. Amoeba That Consumes the Brain
Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain-eating amoeba, poses a threat only to those visiting freshwater beaches. It thrives in the warm waters and soils of freshwater lakes and ponds, meaning that marine swimmers are not at risk of infection.
N. fowleri enters the body through the nose, making its way to the brain. While it primarily feeds on bacteria, it will consume any available tissue once inside the brain.
Symptoms include fever, headache, and vomiting. The infection, which is almost always fatal, intensifies over time, causing seizures, hallucinations, and ultimately a coma.
According to the CDC, only 34 cases between 2009 and 2018 were associated with recreational waters. They also believe it is safe to consume water containing N. fowleri since the stomach's acids neutralize the microbe almost immediately.
