The intention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in America to warn people about the dangers of swimming while experiencing diarrhea backfired after it sparked significant controversy due to the images used in its announcement. The agency posted a warning on its Twitter account advising against swimming if suffering from diarrhea, stating that "a person with diarrhea can contaminate the entire pool." The tweet included an animated image of a girl sliding towards a swimming pool, leaving a brown trail behind her.
Accompanying the tweet were essential guidelines to be followed in such situations, but the comments flooded in from all directions, igniting a storm of ridicule across social media.
The agency's goal was to disseminate medical instructions reminding those affected to stay away from the water, not to return until two weeks after their diarrhea has completely stopped. It also recommended using test strips to ensure water contains the appropriate free chlorine level— the amount of chlorine available to kill germs—or bromine level and pH.
Additionally, it emphasized the importance of showering before entering the pool, noting that rinsing during a one-minute shower removes most dirt or anything else on the body, while chlorine or bromine is used to kill lingering germs or neutralize them. The agency advised taking children to the bathroom during breaks and checking diapers every hour.
