Summer is here. Do you swim in warm freshwater? 3 tips to remember if you do:

[In_The_Wind]

Don't swim in or jump into warm freshwater lakes and rivers.

Hold your nose shut or use nose clips when jumping or diving into warm bodies of fresh water.

Avoid disturbing the sediment while swimming in shallow, warm fresh waters.

Ohio teen dies after contracting brain-eating amoeba during out-of-state trip
http://www.accuweather.com/en/features/trend/ohio_teen_dies_after_contracting_brain_eating_amoeba_charlotte_north_carolina/58326430

Have fun and stay safe.

[etherealtruth]

1. Ugh, just as I was considereing going up to the 'lake" to see my dad this weekend

[In_The_Wind]

4. Bring a kiddo-sized wading pool to soak your feet in.

[HereSince1628]

9. In Michigan I'd worry as much about Listeria and Entertoxic E. coli.

and for your dog, exposure to water with concentrations of blue-gree algae.

Also in the upper midwest, surface waters exposed to runnoff from dairy-farming is likely to include Cryptosporidium

It's not just about swimming, don't do things like mixing baby formula or kool-aid using surface water, either.

But, go ahead, enjoy the summer, expect to share some essential body fluids with leeches, mosquitoes and biting flies.
It's all part of recreation in America's winter, water, wonderland.

[etherealtruth]

12. Its an ~4,000-acre inland lake in the northernmost portion of the LP

No cyanobacteria overgrowths .... I have been dealing with leeches and black flies there since I was 6 years old (54 yo, now)

At my advanced age .... I enjoy the water from boats, decks and balconies

[HereSince1628]

24. I spent a few summers at the biological station at Douglas Lake and

did my master's fieldwork over at the limestone quarry at Rogers City all in the way-way back.

I know how blood loss and bare skin sort of go together in part of the world.

The phrase mosquito fog wasn't about insecticide spraying...it was about how the number of skeeters in the air reduced visibility.

The upside is that swarming blackflies are a nice indicator of a clean quick flowing stream nearby...and who doesn't look good wearing netting over their ears and face?

[IronLionZion]

2. And watch for alligators

in Florida at least

[TwilightZone]

5. Louisiana, southeast Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, etc.

[FLPanhandle]

10. and don't assume there will be warning signs...

and don't swim at night....

[Rex]

20. Are those gater eyeballs?

[FLPanhandle]

23. Gator eyes reflect back red when hit by a spotlight

Lots of fun.

[Ilsa]

3. seems like there have been multiple deaths

Over the last five years. Amoebas and flesh-eating bacteria.

[snooper2]

6. we had two creeks join on our property growing up- I drank that water

pissed in that water, swam naked in that water, built dams in that water, just about everything...

I came out fine

[FLPanhandle]

7. Saltwater is also dangerous

We've already had 4 deaths just along our coast this year from tourists getting caught in rip currents and Summer is just getting going.

Don't Panic!

[In_The_Wind]

13. Salt water bacteria information from last summer suggest the water isn't safe for swimming.

http://wfla.com/2015/07/13/deaths-from-florida-salt-water-bacteria-on-the-rise/

[FLPanhandle]

16. Good point!

As a Floridian, I suggest all tourists stay away from my state until we fix that...

[In_The_Wind]

17. *snort*

[A HERETIC I AM]

21. Back in the late 70's/early 80's there was a bumper sticker in S Fla that said.....

"Happiness is a Canadian headed north with a New Yorker under each arm"

[UMTerp01]

8. Catskills has great lake swimming

My family owns a lake house in the Catskills and I have been swimming up there for years but I do get a little leery when I read about these killer amoeba stories. Never heard of any incidents other than drownings. Some of the swimming holes can be dangerous if you are not familiar with them. Best part of my summers has been escaping to the Catskills for some great swimming and in the fall it is so beautiful when the trees hit their peak color.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

11. I was just going to post that.

I couldn't justify it as news of national importance, so I decided it should be in GD.

I can dig up a link to an incident of this nature from a few years back at DU.

Whitewater rafter dies from amoebic infection after NC trip

Posted: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 12:17 pm

Associated Press |

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A Ohio woman who went whitewater rafting in North Carolina has died of an infection after being exposed to an amoeba that is naturally present in warm fresh water.

North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control suspects Naegleria fowleri, a one-celled organism that can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis.

The name of the person who died Sunday wasn't officially released, but The Columbus Dispatch identified her as 18-year-old Lauren Seitz of Westerville, Ohio.

The victim's only known underwater exposure was thought to be when a raft overturned at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte.

[surrealAmerican]

14. How warm is "warm" for these purposes?

It would be much more useful if they would quantify the details. I'm assuming the Great Lakes aren't warm enough, but it might be good to know if they mean more than 85 degrees or more than 65 degrees.

[Snarkoleptic]

15. And those lovely Hawaiian waterfall pools?

Be doubly cautious. I got leptospirosis from swimming in one one the road to Hana in Maui. Nasty stuff that can cause organ failure in around 20% of those who contract it.

[madinmaryland]

18. Be afraid. Be very afraid!!

[In_The_Wind]

19. I hate swimming in cold water.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

22. Don't forget lightning....

Especially if you piss off Zeus.