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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > General Health Questions > Swimming with a sore throat
Posted on: 09/11/2007
Question
Are teens allowed to go swimming if they have a sore throat?
Answer
Pools are chlorinated to prevent disease transmission. However, it takes time for chlorine to take effect (minutes to hours to days depending on the organism). According to the CDC, there have been documented disease outbreaks due to contaminated pool water. Therefore it's best if you wait until your sore throat is resolved before swimming. Resting at home should also help you recover from your cold.