Imagine diving into the cool waters of the Seine on a hot summer day, with the Eiffel Toweras a backdrop. This scene, which may seem idyllic, has actually been banned for nearly a century. Yet, as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games approach, the issue of swimming in the Seine is resurfacing, raising both hope and concern.

I. Major health risks 

Swimming in the Seine today is not without danger. Water pollution, mainly of microbiological origin due to viruses, bacteria and parasites, poses significant health risks. Here is an overview of the main dangers to which swimmers are exposed.

A. Gastrointestinal infections 

The water of the Seine is often contaminated by bacteria such as Escherichia coli and enterococci, which are indicators of fecal pollution. These bacteria come mainly from untreated wastewater discharges and animal droppings. Accidental ingestion of this water can lead to gastrointestinal infections, manifested by symptoms such as:

 

• Diarrhea
• Stomach ache
• Nausea
• Vomiting

 

These infections can be particularly serious in vulnerable people, such as children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

B. Skin and ENT infections

Skin contact with polluted water from the Seine can cause various skin and ENT (ear, nose, throat) infections. The risks are increased for people with wounds or skin lesions. Possible infections include:

• Dermatitis: inflammation of the skin that can cause redness, itching and rashes.

• Eye infections: conjunctivitis and other eye inflammations.

• Ear infections: external otitis, often painful and bothersome.

• Throat infections: pharyngitis and other inflammations of the upper respiratory tract.

These infections may require medical treatment and, in some cases, lead to more serious complications.

C. Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis, also known as “rat disease,” is a serious bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated rodent urine. This disease can be contracted through skin or mucous membrane contact with contaminated fresh water. Symptoms of leptospirosis may include:

• High fever
• Severe headaches
• Muscle pain
• Chills
• Vomiting

In the most severe cases, leptospirosis can lead to liver, kidney or meningeal complications, and can be potentially fatal if not treated promptly.

II Current status of water quality

The quality of the Seine's water is a major concern for both authorities and citizens. Despite efforts made in recent years, the current state of the river's water remains problematic, particularly with regard to swimming. Let's take a closer look at the results of recent studies and their significance.

A. Results of recent studies

The NGO Surfrider Foundation, known for its commitment to protecting oceans and waterways, has conducted a series of tests on the water quality of the Seine. The results are revealing of the current state of the river:

• Of the 14 tests carried out, only one was deemed satisfactory according to bathing standards.

• The majority of the samples taken showed levels of bacteriological pollution above the authorised thresholds.

• Concentrations of bacteria such as Escherichia coli frequently exceeded acceptable limits for bathing water.

• These results highlight the persistence of water quality problems, despite the sanitation efforts undertaken.

B. Comparison with legislative standards

European and French legislation sets strict standards for the quality of bathing water. These standards are based on the presence of certain bacteriological indicators, including E. coli and intestinal enterococci. Here is how the Seine ranks according to these standards:

	Sample from June 10, 2024	“Excellent” water quality:	“Sufficient” water quality:
E. COLI:	2216 CFU/100 ML	≤ 500 CFU/100 ML	≤ 900 CFU/100 ML
Intestinal enterococci	563 CFU/100 ML	≤ 200 CFU/100 ML	≤ 330 CFU/100 ML

Tests carried out on the Seine show that these thresholds are regularly exceeded, sometimes significantly. For example, concentrations of CFU/100 ml of E. coli were recorded at the Pont Alexandre III in June 2024, well above the thresholds recommended by the and triathlon federations.

C. Factors influencing water quality

• Wastewater discharges: Despite advances in wastewater treatment, overflows can still occur during heavy rains.
• Urban runoff: Rainwater running off impermeable surfaces in the city carries various pollutants into the river.
• Industrial activity: Although regulated, industry continues to contribute to the pollution of the river.
• River traffic: Boats traveling on the Seine can be a source of pollution, particularly through their discharges.

Conclusion

Swimming in the Seine carries significant health risks due to microbiological and chemical pollution of the water. Gastrointestinal, skin, ENT infections and leptospirosis are the main dangers to which swimmers are exposed. Despite considerable efforts to improve water quality, particularly in view of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, swimming in the Seine remains prohibited and strongly discouraged without specific authorization.

Watch your lifestyle: In order to limit the risk of infection, it is very important to have a rigorous hygiene (dental, skin care, prevention of mycosis) In addition, it is necessary to monitor its diet, some products may cause disruption unpleasant. To live in harmony with oneself, one must learn to take care of one's body, to love oneself in some way. In lupus it is common to have a fatigue that can be permanent or intermittent. In the latter case, a job is possible but it is prudent to provide the possibility of rest time.

Living with lupus

Lupus is a chronic disease that can last for years or even decades. In general, the evolutionary pattern alternates thrusts and periods of remission. At each thrust, some body systems are affected and appropriate treatment can calm the lesions. Once the push is over, the treatment must be reduced gradually: it is the transition from attack treatment to maintenance treatment. Treatment reduction should be cautious to limit the risk of relapse. The goal is to achieve long-term remission with mild and tolerable maintenance therapy. As in any chronic disease, it is important that a patient with lupus has family, social and medical support. In particular, it is useful to to have an attentive generalist ready to face the daily worries, and a hospital specialist well-acquainted with lupus, capable of triggering an attack treatment when needed and to see if a new medical problem is indeed a lupus flare-up ( which may not be the case). It is natural that the sick seek information. It is better to ask health professionals specialized in lupus than to books, dictionaries and newspapers that are often out of date, as well as on websites.

Currently, no medicine can claim to cure but it is quite normal for patients to seek any other information that can help to counter the advance of lupus disease.In terms of information, an association of patients can bring since she is in contact with the specialist doctors of the Centers of Reference and Competence of autoimmune diseases including lupus.

Lupus and the Sun

The Sun has always been honored in ancient civilizations. He is the god who gave life to all things. We continue to worship him, going to expose ourselves under his shelves, forgetting voluntarily or involuntarily the harm he can bring if we do not take a minimum of precautions.

The Sun is a friend or an enemy. We feel the infrared by the feeling of heat they give but not the ultra-violet hiding behind.

There are three types of ultraviolet rays:

- UVA rarely gives sunburns but their action is deep, contributing to premature wilting of the skin. They are responsible for some photo-allergies,

- UVB causes sunburn, skin aging and skin cancer,

- UVCs are the most harmful for skin cells, but they are normally retained by the ozone layer.

Effects of the Sun

The sunburn is a burn, often superficial, due to exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. If it is moderate, it results in a redness with sensitivity of the skin and sensation of abnormal heat that will give way later to tanning when the skin seeking to protect itself against future attacks, will produce melanin.

On the other hand, if the sunburn is important, it will give rise initially to a painful sensation, to phlyctenes (blisters filled with serosity) and, in a second time, to the elimination of the cells of the stratum corneum. the skin (desquamation).

If the exposure to the sun has been too long, it can lead to a number of more or less serious disorders, such as an inflammatory condition of the skin, fatigue, fever, weight loss, cancer, tuberculosis.

For a person affected by an autoimmune disease, simple exposure can cause disturbances because ultraviolet light increases the activity, not only of the skin disease but also the internal systemic disease. This is valid for all skin types. The harmful consequences of the sun on the disease may not be immediate but occur after the summer period.

Protections

The best behavior that can be recommended is prudence. There is no question of totally and permanently prohibiting any sun exposure or any outdoor sports activity. However, during outbreaks, exposure to direct radiation (drivers of cars driving the arm to the door) and reflective (water, sand, snow) should be avoided.