Health risks associated with recreational water activities

Abstract

Recreational water activities are becoming increasingly popular among travelers, especially for adventurous people who like to try something new in their life. The aquatic environment can provide enjoyment as well as health hazards to someone who involve in it. In particular, adventure travel and water sports are considered high-risk activities. Most of water activities are tightly regulated to ensure safety, but accidents and other risk do occur. Health risks during activities in fresh water or ocean water vary from infectious disease and drowning to marine envenomation, decompression sickness, and hypothermia. Most of the risks are highly preventable with proper planning and preparation. Travel medicine physicians need to understand the scope of the problem and provide individualized travel advice during a pre-travel consultation visit.