If your idea of an ideal summer weekend getaway includes a spa retreat with a relaxing soak in a Jacuzzi, you may want to reconsider. Jacuzzis have the potential to cause all sorts of health issues for those who like to ease sore muscles in the churning water.
Below are some hazards of which to be aware on your next spa day.
Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionella causes a severe pneumonia, and hot tub soakers can inhale the bacteria from a contaminated hot tub’s steam. The Mayo Clinic reports that symptoms like chills, muscle aches, fever and headaches manifest in the days following exposure. By day three, many are coughing up blood or mucus, have dyspnea and pains in the chest and could be suffereing from confusion.
Hot Tub Rash
This infectious condition is sometimes referred to as Pseudomonas folliculititis or Pseudomonas dermatitis. Exposure to the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, brings on a red, bumpy rash that itches and is accompanied by blisters filled with pus. It’s directly related to use of improperly cleaned and maintained hot tubs.
Exposure to others’ bodily fluids
As disgusting as it sounds, one microbiologist estimates that one-tenth of a gram of feces is packed into the crease of most people’s behinds. All that freely circulates in a hot tub setting, exposing bathers to the kind of germs most would rather not even contemplate.
E. coli and Shigellosis
These bacterial strains spread like wildfire in dirty hot tubs, causing unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.
Parasite-born illnesses
Giardia and Cryptosporidium are two diseases found in water that also cause upset to the gastrointestinal system.
If you recognized one common theme in all of the above hot tub-related conditions, it’s that they all can be traced to the negligent maintenance of hot tubs.
Those who contract illnesses from exposures like these may be able to file premises liability litigation against those responsible for the lapses.
Source: Good Housekeeping, “The Hidden Dangers of the Hot Tub,” Amanda Hawkins, accessed June 02, 2017
