Recreational water illness awareness with Dr. Marcus Washington

(FOX19) - Many of us will be swimming in local pools, ponds and lakes trying to cool off from the summer heat.

However, there's a lot of bacteria in that water that could make you sick.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, recreational water illnesses are caused by germs that spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, rivers, lakes or oceans.

RWIs can be caused by chemicals in the water or chemicals that evaporate from the water.

In the past two decades, there has been a substantial increase in the number of RWI outbreaks associated with swimming.

Dr. Marcus Washington joined FOX19 to talk about the illnesses you should be aware of.

Watch the video above for more.

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