Camp28601 / Wikimedia
We have bathed in communal waters for many centuries. Sometimes for hygiene reasons, but more often for pleasure.
In fact, in ancient Greece, baths were taken in fresh water, or sometimes in the sea – which was considered a sacred place dedicated to local gods and therefore considered an act of worship.
But it was the Romans who created state-sponsored aqueducts to allow for large-scale public bathing. These were primarily used for relaxation, but also for more private pleasures.
Two millennia later, we are still drawn to shower in communityalthough many people now have their own hot tub or jacuzzi – sales of which have increased enormously during the pandemic.
Bacteria, viruses and fungi
But it is also worth bearing in mind that when we enter the waters of a jacuzzi, whatever we have on our skin, we deposit it in the hot water that swirls around us. This includes about 100 mg of feces which are usually present between the buttocks. This means that as you relax in the warm water, you’ll likely be breathing in or swallowing the bacteria, viruses, and fungi from your jacuzzi partner’s body.
The more people in the jacuzzi, higher levels of stool and sweat spilled in the water (and urine if someone peed in the water). And these bodily deposits can be used by bacteria as direct nutrients.
Since jacuzzi owners are advised to change the water only every three months, bacteria will grow. For microbiological safety, most hot tubs that recirculate water have microbe removal filters and the water is treated with microbicides (which kill germs) such as chlorine, bromine or other disinfectants to control the number of bacteria.
these chemicals are toxic and cause irritation on the skin and eyes. This is why jacuzzi users are advised to shower after bathing (and should also shower beforehand).
The temperature of the water inside a Jacuzzi (around 40°C) can also cause potentially serious health problems, such as overheating the core, which can lead to feeling faint or even loss of consciousness and possible drowning.
This is especially the case for pregnant women and children, along with people with underlying health conditions, who should always consult their doctor before using a Jacuzzi. This is why most sessions are advised not to last longer than about 15 minutes and must be supervised.
Dirty or filthy?
While personal hot tubs may be relatively microbiologically safe, public (hotel or spa) hot tubs can potentially be very rich in infection-causing bacteria (germs), particularly if the water is recycled.
The root of the problem is the low public compliance with hygiene guidelines personnel and inadequate maintenance of water treatment. Poorly maintained public hot tubs can lead to outbreaks of human-associated bacterial infections that survive well in water.
These include e.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa It is legionella pneumoniae. These hot tub pathogens can cause intestinal infections, diarrhea, sepsis, skin infections, urinary tract infections and respiratory infections, including Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionella bacteria are mostly found in water droplets within the steam of hot tubs and inhaling contaminated steam can lead to the development of pneumonia.
If you still want to enjoy a hot tub or jacuzzi, is there a way to know if it’s safe or not? There are some clear signs that a hot tub is full of germs. When urine and other bodily fluids, such as sweat, mix with the chlorine used to disinfect hot tub water, it creates an irritating, pungent chemical called chloraminewhich causes eye pain when swimming in public pools.
The more bathers deposit their body fluids, the stronger the chloramine smell and the more likely the hotel spa or jacuzzi will have low levels of disinfectant and high levels of bacteria. So if the jacuzzi has a strong smell, it’s likely not safe to use – even if the water looks clean and clear, although it’s also worth noting that the water gets cloudier the longer it’s been left without chemicals.
