The Six Hot Tub Health Risks You Need to be Aware Of
by www.SixWise.com
Many people revel in the thought of soaking in a bubbly hot
tub after a workout, while on vacation, or just for fun. Their
numbers speak for their popularity: there are about 5 million
public and private hot tubs, whirlpools and spas in the United
States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
But while the warm water can be soothing for your muscles
as well as your nerves, there are some nasty secrets lurking
inside many hot tubs that may make you think twice about taking
a dip.
|
Chlorine loses its ability to disinfect at around 84
degrees F, which is why many bacteria can survive in
hot tubs, even though the water is chlorinated.
|
Nearly 60 percent of public hot tubs in the United States
may make you sick, according to the CDC. In their study of
over 5,000 U.S. public hot tubs, they found that 11 percent
were so neglected that they called for immediate closure.
How a Soak in a Hot Tub Can Make You Sick
1. Hot Tub Folliculitis (aka "Hot Tub Rash")
This is caused by pseudomonas, a type of bacteria that thrives
in hot tubs without proper chlorine and pH levels. It causes
a skin infection that results in red, itchy bumps and blisters.
Typically the infection will resolve on its own, but in serious
cases it can cause scarring, destruction of your hair follicles
(and hair loss), boils under your skin or spreading of the
bacterial infection.
Diabetes, skin infections or open sores increase your risk
of hot tub folliculitis. The rash is typically more severe
in areas where your swimsuit held the chlorinated water against
your body.
2. Hot Tub Lung
If a hot tub isn't clean properly, you may inhale a bacteria
called Mycobacterium avium (M. avium), which belongs to the
same class of bacteria that causes tuberculosis (but without
being contagious).
The bacteria are spewed into the air when the hot tub bubbles
rise to the surface and burst. As they evaporate, you may
breathe them in, which can cause an infection or allergic
reaction that results in cough, fever or chills, shortness
of breath, fatigue and tightness in your chest. The condition
often resolves, as long as you stop using the hot tub, but
can be serious, and even fatal.
Hot tub lung is more commonly caused by indoor hot tubs,
as the vapors from outdoor hot tubs have more room to disseminate.
3. Genital Herpes
It's possible to contract genital herpes from sitting on
a plastic-coated hot tub seat that hasn't been in contact
with chlorinated water (such as an upper step or side). Herpes
simplex virus, which causes genital herpes, can survive for
up to 4.5 hours on such a surface.
|
There is a lower risk of getting a lung infection from
an outdoor hot tub, as the vapors are more likely to
evaporate or disperse before you breathe them in.
|
4. Legionnaire's Disease
You can get Legionnaire's Disease, a type of lung infection,
in a similar manner as hot tub lung -- by breathing in vapors
that contain bacteria, in this case Legionella bacteria. High
fever, chills and cough are common symptoms. Though this disease
is typically curable with antibiotics, it can cause death
in up to 5 percent to 30 percent of cases, according to the
CDC.
5. An Increased Risk of Birth Defects
Pregnant women are advised to avoid hot tubs, as exposure
to the heat during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated
with an increased risk of neural tube defects in the baby,
according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical
Association.
6. Lowered Sperm Count
Exposure to high heat, including going in hot tubs or saunas,
has been found to lower
men's sperm production because of the excess heat in the
scrotal area, according to the American Society for Reproductive
Medicine.
It's worth noting that most healthy people can use a hot
tub safely, and even experience benefits. Sitting in a hot
tub, particularly one that has water jets to massage you,
can reduce your stress levels, increase your blood circulation,
dilate your blood vessels, and even lower your blood pressure.
You should always check on the maintenance history of any
hot tub before using it to ensure that it's being carefully
cleaned and monitored. However, certain groups, including
people with compromised immune systems and pregnant women,
should be careful about using even hot tubs that are well
maintained.
Recommended Reading
Bath
or Shower: Which is Better for You and Why?
A
Highly Avoidable Tragedy: Preventing Drowning Inside the Home
Sources
Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report July 2, 2004
MayoClinic.com:
Folliculitis
Journal
of the American Medical Association Vol. 268 No. 7, August
19, 1992