Preventing UTI

[Channy757]

We got our above ground pool last year. We took the water to the pool store for testing and kept with the weekly shock/chlorine tablets. I contracted a UTI anyway. I didn’t relate it to the pool until the very same thing happened to me this year. AND my daughter. I’m afraid to use my pool now and need to know what user-friendly test kits to buy and how to be sure we’re killing all the germs.

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!

What are you pool details? Fill out your signature.

The only thing you have to do to keep safe water is maintain the FC level above the minimum listed for your CYA in the FC/CYA Levels.

The TF100 from tftestkits.net is the best value for a complete test kit. These are the recommended kits: Test Kits Compared

Have you read Pool School? Start with ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I would suggest that until you get your pool fixed up with the appropriate free chlorine levels and testing, that you shower after swimming.

How old is your daughter?

Nurse Maddie

 

[Channy757]

I would suggest that until you get your pool fixed up with the appropriate free chlorine levels and testing, that you shower after swimming.

How old is your daughter?

Nurse Maddie

She’s six. I’m now having everyone change into dry clothes after getting out because we all used to hang out in our suits outside after swimming and I don’t think that helped. It’s been so hot here the last couple of weeks and I didn’t realize until reading here that chlorine can disappear in the heat. Man. I still have a lot to learn. My husband just got a test kit that we hope will be better. Money is tight bc there’s one income and five children. Lol. Money goes quick around here. Thank you for your advice!

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Well here's the best news- the TFP way of pool care is very economical! Once you have the right test kit to monitor everything you're only going to be adding what the water needs *and nothing else!* Also almost all of our suggested chemicals can be obtained at Walmart or your local hardware. No expensive pool store chemicals for us!

Describe your pool in size and what equipment you use?

Maddie

 

[jimbethesda]

Well here's the best news- the TFP way of pool care is very economical! Once you have the right test kit to monitor everything you're only going to be adding what the water needs *and nothing else!* Also almost all of our suggested chemicals can be obtained at Walmart or your local hardware. No expensive pool store chemicals for us!

Describe your pool in size and what equipment you use?

Maddie

I will just second this. Usually, in life, the “best” way is the more expensive way. In this case we get to have our cake and eat it too. It’s better and cheaper.

 

[Wobblerlorri]

This article from Urology Health Foundation explains how to keep from getting a UTI from your pool. Probably the number one thing to avoid in order to not get a UTI is no peeing in the pool. It opens up your urethra to backwash from the pool, and leaves bacteria for someone else to pick up. Yes, chlorine will kill the bacteria, but not immediately.

So keep your pool well chlorinated, take a shower before swimming, and keep the P out of your OOL!

 

[justinc]

Don't forget to drink plenty of water to flush out that part of the body and try not to hold it for too long.

I know even as a male I usually avoid drinking a lot of water/liquids while swimming because it's such a pain to get out and go inside to use the restroom (both causing dehydration + holding pee for too long = possible UTI for the ladies).

 

[Newdude]

She’s six. I’m now having everyone change into dry clothes after getting out

This alone may work wonders for you guys. Im a dude but have a wife and 2 middle school daughters. My wife learned early on that sitting around in a damp suit caused problems for her. We made it a rule as soon as we got the pool that everybody was either in the pool, or out. Its better to put the wet suit back on 5 times an afternoon than to need a week or two of antibiotics. Its fustrating on the long party days when they swim on and off for 45 minutes at a time but still better than the alternatives.