Woman claims sea swim left her fighting parasite after month in hospital and 2.5st weight loss

A woman has claimed a seaside swim during the heatwave left her violently ill with a parasite, resulting in a month-long hospital stay and a dramatic two-and-a-half-stone weight loss.

Katherine Hopkins, 35, says she spent hours swimming at Hove Lawns in Brighton over four consecutive days from May 23, as well as taking a brief dip at Lancing Beach.

But around 10 days later, her health suddenly began to spiral.

The former tattoo artist developed agonising stomach cramps and says she was rushing to the toilet up to 30 times a day.

She eventually went to hospital on June 16, where tests revealed she had contracted cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that can cause the intestinal illness cryptosporidiosis.

Katherine, who had a kidney transplant in 2010, says she became dangerously dehydrated and believes she swallowed contaminated seawater while splashing her face during her swims.

“I was going to the toilet 20 to 30 times and I was so dehydrated,” she said. “When I tried to drink water, it would just come straight out.”

“I genuinely thought I was going to die.”

Doctors gave her huge amounts of fluid during her first few days in hospital as her condition deteriorated.

Katherine says she was eventually left surviving on a liquid diet and lost two-and-a-half stone during her month in hospital.

She was discharged on July 6 but says she is still suffering symptoms and remains on a restricted diet.

“I was really angry,” she said. “I'm never going swimming in the sea in the UK again.”

Cryptosporidium can spread when people ingest the parasite, which can enter waterways through sources including sewage, agricultural run-off and contaminated water.

However, there is no confirmed evidence that Katherine contracted the infection from Hove sea water.

Southern Water said there were no storm overflow releases at the nearest locations on the days she swam, while Environment Agency samples taken during the period showed no faecal indicators.

Hove's bathing water is currently rated ‘Excellent’ by the Environment Agency.

Brighton & Hove City Council said it had “the utmost sympathy” for Katherine but stressed that regular independent testing should reassure residents and visitors.

The Environment Agency said bathing waters are regularly monitored and encouraged swimmers to check official advice before entering the water.

Katherine, however, remains convinced the sea was responsible for her ordeal.

“I never thought I'd go in the sea and contract a parasite,” she said. “People should be able to go in the sea without getting ill.”