Right here’s What a Microbiologist Desires You to Know About RFK Jr.’s Creek Swim

When the temps warmth up, there’s nothing higher than a refreshing swim to chill off—but when the water you’re wading in isn’t precisely as much as snuff, the expertise can flip method much less chill. And earlier this week, the highest public well being official within the US reminded us all of that.

Over the weekend, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the top of the US Division of Well being and Human Providers, went viral for taking a dip in Rock Creek, a notoriously sewage-saturated channel that runs by way of Washington, DC’s Dumbarton Oaks Park. In a Mom’s Day submit on the social media platform X (previously generally known as Twitter), Kennedy shared images of himself hanging out within the water (in what seemed to be denims, no much less), accompanied by two of his grandchildren in addition to different members of the family. The pics sparked a whole lot of…ideas, so we determined to do a deep dive (sorry) into why this exercise could possibly be a legit well being danger—in case the phrases “sewage-saturated” didn’t already clue you in.

Some essential background: Because of points like trash accumulation, polluted runoff, and, sure, “sewage overflows,” Rock Creek is understood for “excessive ranges of micro organism and different infectious pathogens that make swimming, wading, and different contact with the water a hazard to human (and pet) well being,” in accordance with the Nationwide Park Service. One instance is E. coli micro organism, which additionally serves as a telltale signal of contamination with fecal matter (a.okay.a. poop), Invoice Sullivan, PhD, a microbiologist and professor on the Indiana College College of Drugs, tells SELF. “If there’s animal feces or agricultural waste in proximity to the waterway, storms or rain can push that contaminated soil into the water,” he says. Moreover E. coli, different probably current pathogens embrace Salmonella; viruses like rotavirus, norovirus, and hepatitis A; and parasites like Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Toxoplasma gondii, in accordance with Dr. Sullivan. What’s extra, the water doesn’t must look visibly soiled (or really feel totally different in your pores and skin) to comprise any of the above, so you’ll be able to’t know when you’re within the clear simply by eyeballing it.

Coming into contact with these bugs isn’t solely nasty, it will also be harmful, since they will make you significantly sick. Consider getting into Rock Creek (or a equally soiled physique of water, like Paris’s River Seine, a venue for the 2024 Olympic open swimming occasions regardless of widespread controversy over its security) as “aquatic Russian roulette,” Dr. Sullivan says. “While you’re coping with these fecal-contaminated waters, you may get fortunate on in the future, however you won’t get fortunate the following day, so it’s simply not definitely worth the danger.” In the event you do develop an an infection, you’ll be able to anticipate signs of abdomen misery like cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, in accordance with Dr. Sullivan.

Moreover these GI points, Dr. Sullivan provides, you may probably even be in danger for extra critical unintended effects, like extreme dehydration (if the diarrhea or vomiting is unhealthy sufficient), liver failure (within the case of hepatitis A), or miscarriage or beginning defects throughout being pregnant (within the case of Toxoplasma gondii). What’s extra, older folks—like Kennedy, who’s 71—and younger youngsters are typically particularly susceptible to extra intense sickness and issues.