health π€’ Wild Swimming Linked to Higher Risk of Bugs and Rashes
A major controlled study found wild swimming increases the risk of stomach bugs and skin rashes. The research, conducted in Hungary, involved 2,368 participants at two river and two lake sites. Swimmers exposed to higher E coli concentrations showed a significant rise in gastrointestinal illness risk. This challenges WHO's decision to drop E coli as a key freshwater pollution indicator. The findings suggest E coli should remain part of freshwater monitoring standards.