India, Aug. 30 -- People swimming in rivers and lakes could be putting themselves at risk of nasty skin conditions and stomach bugs, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia.

Researchers found that people who swam in rivers and lakes were more than twice as likely to develop skin problems, while higher levels of bacteria linked to faecal pollution were associated with an increased risk of stomach bugs, reads the University of East Anglia. website.

The findings come amid growing public concern over water quality and a boom in open-water swimming.

The research was conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections at UEA.

Scientists an...