Swimmers are at risk for respiratory infections if they breathe in small droplets of water (mist) from a pool or hot tub that contains harmful germs. A respiratory disease caused by the
germ Legionella
is one of the most common waterborne diseases in the United States.
Can hot tubs damage lungs?
Hot Tubs May Damage Lungs
All had coughing, shortness of breath, fever, and weight loss
, says Hanak.
Are hot tubs bad for your lungs?
People with hot tub lung may experience flu-like symptoms, including
cough, trouble breathing, fever and fatigue
. About 70 cases of hot tub lung have been reported in the medical literature, according to the 2017 paper. Most cases are tied to indoor hot tubs, where there is less ventilation.
Are hot tubs bad for your health?
Water temperature
The temperature of a hot tub should never be hotter than 40°C (104°F) (or 38.9°C (102.0°F) if you are pregnant). Sitting in hot water for a long time can
cause severe heat-related illnesses
, such as nausea, dizziness or fainting, and even death.
Can hot tubs cause shortness of breath?
What Are the Symptoms of Hot Tub Lung? People with hot tub lung may suffer from
shortness of breath
, coughing, weight loss, fatigue, low oxygen levels, and fever. Due to its symptoms, it is commonly misdiagnosed as asthma or bronchitis.
Can you get STD from hot tub?
Can you get HPV or other STDs from being in a hot tub? Not unless you're having sex.
STDs are passed by direct bodily contact.
Can you get sick from hot tub in winter?
Disease outbreaks tied to swimming happen even in the winter, often after people go in hot tubs or spas, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Is hot tub good for chest cold?
Heat therapy does wonders for relief from the aches and pains associated with the common cold. The steam that is created by the hot water in your spa helps
to loosen mucus and relieve congestion
from your nose and chest.
What is swimmer's lung?
SIPE is
a type of immersion pulmonary oedema (IPE)
that occurs when fluid accumulates in the lungs in the absence of water aspiration during surface or underwater swimming, causing acute shortness of breath and a cough productive of blood-tinged sputum [2]. IPE may affect people with no underlying health problems.
Can you get pneumonia from inhaling lake water?
Legionnaires' disease
is a severe form of pneumonia — lung inflammation usually caused by infection. It's caused by a bacterium known as legionella. Most people catch Legionnaires' disease by inhaling the bacteria from water or soil.
Is it OK to go in a hot tub every day?
However,
it's completely OK to use a hot tub every day
. In fact, many of the benefits of a hot tub only become apparent when it's used on a regular basis. To make sure you get the most use out of your hot tub we've come up with a post on what you can do to ensure your hot tub use remains consistent.
Who should avoid hot tubs?
People who have weakened immune systems, former smokers, and those
50 and older
should consider not using a hot tub or even sitting near one, says the CDC.
What happens if you stay in hot tub too long?
Overheating. Your body can overheat if you stay in a hot tub for too long. This can cause symptoms of
hypothermia
if it is cold outside or even fainting. Other changes in blood flow to the brain can sometimes cause nausea or vomiting.
What diseases can you get from hot tubs?
- Hot tub lung. This infection is caused by a group of bacteria called Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), which can survive in warm water. …
- Hot tub rash. Hot tub rash is caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. …
- Legionella infection. …
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) …
- Allergic reaction.
Can hot tubs cause Legionnaires disease?
Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection you can get from inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning or hot tubs. It's uncommon but it can be
very serious
.
Is a hot tub good for congestion?
If congestion is making it difficult to breathe, eat, or sleep, take a
dip in your hot tub
. The heated steam from the water can enter your nasal passage to help shrink swollen membranes and loosen congestion.
