Why do people go in freshwater when it’s actually potentially dangerous?

[Anonymous]

In saltwater anything bacterial wise is killed by the salt. In freshwater, there could be all sorts of weird things in there.

[Massageman]

Here's the science behind the issue - - - - -

"High amounts of salt kill germs due to this osmosis mechanism. When there are excessive salt concentrations outside of a bacterial cell, water from inside the cell diffuses out to bring the salt concentration down to normal.

When bacterial cells lose all of their water in this way, the following happens:

1. The cell is dehydrated.
2. It causes the cell’s structure to be lost.
3. The enzymes and proteins became dysfunctional.
4. Cell death occurs as a result of this process.
5. Therefore, salt causes bacteria to lose all of their water, resulting in cell death.

As an adjunct to conventional oral health prophylaxis and a dentist's/hygienist's care, for example, gargling with salt water can be a help.

BUT- Some bacteria, on the other hand, are salt-tolerant. These bacteria are known as halotolerant bacteria.

Whether I am going into a creek, a lake or the ocean, I'm just there for a short time, I don't go underwater due to sinus issues, and I shower afters. I'm there mostly for the ambiance anyway.

[DryGermanGuy]

[Asker]

More afraid of flesh eating bacteria than Jaws.

[purplepoppy]

Lots of nasty bacteria happily live in salt water, that's why people get upset about sewage pipes.

[Staximus]

You have been watching too much fear mongering news. Flesh eating bacteria only lives in water with sustained temperatures over 90 degrees or something like that. So if the water isn't extremely warm, it's most likely fine.

[summiter]

I love swimming in clean freshwater.. I just don't try to get any in my mouth of nose

[gorydetails]

Because they're not paranoid and want to have fun.

[DextroShade]

Google "brain eating amoeba"

[Anonymous]

Maybe some people aren’t aware of the dangers.

[riverrat3]

Might be too far to get to saltwater