MODEL RELEASED. Swimming pool infection. A six year old boy wearing swimming trunks examines the sole of his foot for infections. The child is sitting on the bench of a swimming pool changing room. Common contagious infections that are caught in swimming pools include verrucas (or warts). These are harmless, contagious lumps on skin, caused by human papillomavirus infection. Verrucas are usually left to disappear spontaneou- sly, but are sometimes removed by freezing, surgery, or special plasters.