Red tide is on the rise in Sarasota County, leaving dead fish and marine life littering beaches and carrying foul-smelling breezes up to a mile inland. The return of the Karenia brevis red tide has certainly put a damper on summer plans for beach days and boating. But what are red tide's health effects? Should we skip the beach during blooms? Is it safe to swim in red tide waters? SMH Pulmonary Disease Specialist Kirk Voelker, MD, offers answers.