Do swim diapers/swim pants prevent germs from spreading?
The use of swim diapers and swim pants may give many parents and pool staff a false sense of security regarding fecal contamination. Even though swim diapers and swim pants may hold in some feces, they are not leak proof. It is unlikely that swim diapers are able to keep diarrheal stools, the most serious water contaminant, from leaking into the pool. Parents should not allow their children enter the water when they are ill with diarrhea, even if they are wearing swim diapers or swim pants. They risk contaminating the pool and making other children sick. In addition, even if your child does not have diarrhea, be aware that swim diapers and swim pants are not a replacement for frequent diaper changing. It is recommended that you change your child often and make frequent trips to the toilet (every 30–60 minutes) while swimming. For more information on swim diapers/swim pants, please see the Swim Diapers and Swim Pants page.
