As you do your research on hot tubs, you may have come across what is commonly known as hot tub lung. Don’t worry, there’s an easy solution for this problem. Get to know more about it below:
What is Hot Tub Lung?
“Hot tub lung is inflammation in the lung from something inhaled,” said Dr. Cecile Rose, a pulmonary specialist at the National Jewish Medical & Research Center in Denver. “In this case, that something is a bug called mycobacterium avium.”
Exposure to mycobacterium avium can either give indoor hot tub soakers a serious infection or the persistent condition called hypersensitivity pneumonitis, also known as hot-tub lung. Source: ABCNews
Symptoms
When people breath in the bacteria, they may develop “granulomas,” or small areas of inflammation, in their lungs. People with hot tub lung may experience flu-like symptoms, including cough, trouble breathing, fever and fatigue. Source: LiveScience
Prevention
Relax. The great thing about this disease is that it is very easy to prevent. All it takes is a little work from you. The main way to prevent these types of infections is to properly clean your hot tub and its filters on a regular basis.
The most common water disinfectant, chlorine, loses much of its power when water temperatures rise above 84 degrees. While it will still clean the water, it won’t do as good of a job. That means that you have to be extra careful to change and clean the filters and you need to make regular water changes.
It is also a good idea to shower before you take a dip in your hot tub, especially if you haven’t changed the water in a while. As I said, most infections come from a combination of poor water quality and the lack of showers before entering the hot tub. This creates the perfect breeding ground for the infection.
Remember, change your water regularly and make it a regular habit to clean your hot tub thoroughly. While you can sometimes get away with just rinsing your filters, be sure to also use filter cleaner on them regularly. Consistency is key. If you make sure you take care of the water the way you should be you shouldn’t ever have to worry about contracting hot tub lung. Source: SwimUniversity
No time to maintain your hot tub? We can help you out! Call us today!
Contact:
Universal Spas
19300 Langley Bypass, Surrey, BC V3S 7R2
(604) 539-2182