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Hot Tubs and hot tub water need to be kept clean and a cleaning regime adhered to otherwise you will find yourself subject to infections caused by hot tub bacterium. In this article you will find information on the most common bacterium found in hot tubs and what you can do about them.

A hot tub is usually purchased for relaxation and therapeutic purposes. However, it is necessary to have a regular cleaning schedule otherwise hot tub bacterium can form and far from being relaxing your hot tub will be a source of sickness and skin rashes.

Air borne bacteria

A regular cleaning schedule will help you to avoid the hot tub bacterium mycobacterium avium, a member of the bacteria family, which causes tuberculosis. This is not usually contagious, but it has found a pleasant breeding ground in hot tubs.

This bacteria is contained in the bubbles produced as a result of the circulating jets in the water and are released into the air, and thus inhaled by people using the hot tub, when the bubbles burst open.

The symptoms of infection are difficulty breathing, a wet cough, fatigue and tightness in the chest.
Your doctor will advise you to refrain from using the hot tub and will probably prescribe steroids and if the infection is particularly severe, you may need oxygen treatment.

Chlorine which is normally used to provide benefit in swimming pools becomes ineffective at a water temperature in excess of 80 degrees and therefore cannot be relied upon to keep your hot tub bacteria free and you will need to use hot tub chemicals LINK instead

Skin rashes from hot tub bacterium

A skin rash known as folliculitis is particularly prevalent when you do not have a rigorous cleaning routine. It is an infection of the hair follicles and a common strain is in fact called hot tub folliculitis.

Children tend to be more susceptible to it due to the length of time they tend to spend in the hot tub, however it is not contagious, just uncomfortable.

The rash can break out anywhere on the body but is most likely in areas covered by clothing, such as swimsuits. The rash normally appears from a few hours to several days after exposure.

These hot tub bacterium cannot survive in a dry atmosphere and will gradually disappear. The rashes can be eased with sulfide creams, vinegar compresses and oral antibiotics.

If you do have hot tub bacterium in your tub then you will need to drain it and thoroughly clean and sanitize it before re-use, then establish an effective cleaning routine.

Ideally you want to prevent this happening in the first place and the use of hot tub chemicals on a regular basis will ensure your hot tub is bacterium free.