hot tub owners

[65rosessamurai]

My MIL kills all those nasty germs when she gets in the tub!! I can even hear the germs scream, "Bail Out!", sometimes! (hehe)
I make sure the water is changed before I EVER go in! And to make sure, I'm usually the one doing the scrubbing. Fresh water, probably above 40 degrees Celsius would (or may) kill the germs. (if I recall, most bacteria or germs can't handle such high temps)
Also, keeping the window to that room will allow the moisture to dissipate, cutting down the mold, mildew buildup. Scrubbing the whole room once a week will also help, but if it's a big room, gonna need some help!

 

[65rosessamurai]

My MIL kills all those nasty germs when she gets in the tub!! I can even hear the germs scream, "Bail Out!", sometimes! (hehe)
I make sure the water is changed before I EVER go in! And to make sure, I'm usually the one doing the scrubbing. Fresh water, probably above 40 degrees Celsius would (or may) kill the germs. (if I recall, most bacteria or germs can't handle such high temps)
Also, keeping the window to that room will allow the moisture to dissipate, cutting down the mold, mildew buildup. Scrubbing the whole room once a week will also help, but if it's a big room, gonna need some help!

 

[anonymous]

When we got our hot tub I asked my CF doc and he said the most problems with hot tubs came when they were made of wood, because the wood would saturate with bacteria (often times it would be pseudo.) but that as long as they are kept clean there should be no risk of respiritory problems.

 

[anonymous]

When we got our hot tub I asked my CF doc and he said the most problems with hot tubs came when they were made of wood, because the wood would saturate with bacteria (often times it would be pseudo.) but that as long as they are kept clean there should be no risk of respiritory problems.

 

[anonymous]

Yeah, It's not good, but I don't really avoid public pools. Unless I'm feeling extra tired or have low #'s.

I do bring antibacterial wipes with me to places like the gym, eek!, and grocery stores (cart handles). When I use a public restroom ( which I hate!!!), I always use a towelette even after I wash my hands. There's too many people that touch the doors and don't wash their hands.

I always loved swimming, and figured the physical benefits outweighed the germs.

Christian

 

[anonymous]

Yeah, It's not good, but I don't really avoid public pools. Unless I'm feeling extra tired or have low #'s.

I do bring antibacterial wipes with me to places like the gym, eek!, and grocery stores (cart handles). When I use a public restroom ( which I hate!!!), I always use a towelette even after I wash my hands. There's too many people that touch the doors and don't wash their hands.

I always loved swimming, and figured the physical benefits outweighed the germs.

Christian

 

[anonymous]

I have always been told by docs that swimming pools are fine as long as they're not too warm and are outdoors... The warm air is breeding grounds for nasty bugs... they are airborne... That is why they told me to avoid ALL hot tubs... It is not the germs in them as much as what you're breathing in the steam. I used to use hot tubs all the time! Once I went to an accredited center and they were adament to stay out of them, I decided against them. I just personally don't want to risk it. Now, if I had joint problems, I would probably reconsider, cause, as others have said, the benefits of muscle relaxation may far outweigh the risk.

As far as swimming pools, I try to stay out of the enclosed ones, cause I can sometimes see the steam rising out of the pool, but if its outdoor, I use them. They say there is no greater activity than swimming for the lungs!!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

Sonia

 

[anonymous]

I have always been told by docs that swimming pools are fine as long as they're not too warm and are outdoors... The warm air is breeding grounds for nasty bugs... they are airborne... That is why they told me to avoid ALL hot tubs... It is not the germs in them as much as what you're breathing in the steam. I used to use hot tubs all the time! Once I went to an accredited center and they were adament to stay out of them, I decided against them. I just personally don't want to risk it. Now, if I had joint problems, I would probably reconsider, cause, as others have said, the benefits of muscle relaxation may far outweigh the risk.

As far as swimming pools, I try to stay out of the enclosed ones, cause I can sometimes see the steam rising out of the pool, but if its outdoor, I use them. They say there is no greater activity than swimming for the lungs!!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

Sonia

 

[anonymous]

Spoke with infectious doc regarding hot tubs and the "steam" theory. He states that the water has to be infected with the bacteria for the steam coming off the hot tub to be infected. States that Legionella is one of the main culprits with Pseudomonas being one of the minor. States that as long as the chlorine and PH levels are monitored closely (daily) there are no problems with hot tub use. States that you are more likely to get Pseudomonas from your shower head & the steam coming off of that, then from your hot tub.

 

[anonymous]

Spoke with infectious doc regarding hot tubs and the "steam" theory. He states that the water has to be infected with the bacteria for the steam coming off the hot tub to be infected. States that Legionella is one of the main culprits with Pseudomonas being one of the minor. States that as long as the chlorine and PH levels are monitored closely (daily) there are no problems with hot tub use. States that you are more likely to get Pseudomonas from your shower head & the steam coming off of that, then from your hot tub.

 

[anonymous]

That is bizarre. Why would an infectious disease doc and my two pulmonologists vary so much in their assessment of hot tub steam? I've also heard this from another allergist in a previous clinic I went to. They've all said to steer clear of hot tubs cause of the steam being a breeding ground for bugs.... Why would opinion vary so greatly? Also the CFF had a webcast a couple years ago that said not to use hot tubs.
I'm interested greatly if its ok to use them, cause I LOVE hot tubs! Just not sure about the safety.

Sonia

 

[anonymous]

That is bizarre. Why would an infectious disease doc and my two pulmonologists vary so much in their assessment of hot tub steam? I've also heard this from another allergist in a previous clinic I went to. They've all said to steer clear of hot tubs cause of the steam being a breeding ground for bugs.... Why would opinion vary so greatly? Also the CFF had a webcast a couple years ago that said not to use hot tubs.
I'm interested greatly if its ok to use them, cause I LOVE hot tubs! Just not sure about the safety.

Sonia

 

[anonymous]

I was the previous poster and I don't know why the infectious disease doc's (family friend) opinion differs from the pulmonologist. But, then again the infectious disease doc does not believe in some of the other things that my pulmonologist does. Such as my pulmonologist always wants to treat with hard hitting IV meds (tobra, vanc, etc.) when I go in for a tune-up, even though I have never tested positive for MRSA or Pseudomonas. Infectious disease doc believes this is setting me up for problems in the future. Anyways the infectious disease doc says that you do get Pseudomonas and other things from the steam (or bubbles bursting) and this is how it gets into your lungs - but, the water has to be infected for it to be carried up into the steam. For the most part when it comes to infections I tend to lean on the side of our family friend because this is his specialty.

Bev

 

[anonymous]

I was the previous poster and I don't know why the infectious disease doc's (family friend) opinion differs from the pulmonologist. But, then again the infectious disease doc does not believe in some of the other things that my pulmonologist does. Such as my pulmonologist always wants to treat with hard hitting IV meds (tobra, vanc, etc.) when I go in for a tune-up, even though I have never tested positive for MRSA or Pseudomonas. Infectious disease doc believes this is setting me up for problems in the future. Anyways the infectious disease doc says that you do get Pseudomonas and other things from the steam (or bubbles bursting) and this is how it gets into your lungs - but, the water has to be infected for it to be carried up into the steam. For the most part when it comes to infections I tend to lean on the side of our family friend because this is his specialty.

Bev

 

[anonymous]

This is of special interest to me also as I have a hot tub and use it often in winter, but i have always have niggling doubts about it's safety and the potential for spas to become breeding grounds for bugs. I'm concerned that opinion on this seems to differ so much amongst the medical profession - haven't tests been done in this area to prove one way or the other? You'd think so, but the confusion around suggests maybe not?? I'm also curious to know if the heat of the water can be the decider here, for instance if bugs can only grow/survive in water at or below a certain temperature.

One thing that does seem fairly clear to me is that the steam coming off a hot tub could not possibly be contaminated with bugs unless the water that is creating that steam is also contaminated. The germs have to come from somewhere, that seems fairly self explanatory.

But i'd really like a firm conclusion to all of this - I love my spa - it's a guaranteed way to immediately warm myself up, as having next to no body fat, i feel the cold quite badly.

As for the antibotics theory - i tend to agree that taking antibiotics when no bugs are being cultured is pretty silly - a) these are very toxic drugs, some with rather severe side effects and b) the potential these bugs have to develop resistance to these drugs, sometimes quite quickly - I just can't see the sense in putting the body through treatment and perpetuating the possibility of resistance developing, when no bugs are growing anyway. What are they planning to kill with these drugs if there is nothing there in the first place........??? I don't get it and every time i read in this forum that this is happening to children who show no signs of illness, it concerns me greatly.

Don't get me wrong, if bugs are culturing then hit them and hit them hard - i fully agree - but to be so aggressive when faced with a complete lack of evidence that anything is actually there in the first place and the lung function is 100% or more, just seems to me to be an unwarranted risk to the overall health and outcome of the cf'er.

Anyway i'm way off track here - if anybody reading this knows of any studies that have been done in this area and the outcomes of these, I would really love to know about them. I'm contemplating getting rid of our spa at the moment for this very reason.

Cheers
Kat (37 with CF, NZ)

 

[anonymous]

This is of special interest to me also as I have a hot tub and use it often in winter, but i have always have niggling doubts about it's safety and the potential for spas to become breeding grounds for bugs. I'm concerned that opinion on this seems to differ so much amongst the medical profession - haven't tests been done in this area to prove one way or the other? You'd think so, but the confusion around suggests maybe not?? I'm also curious to know if the heat of the water can be the decider here, for instance if bugs can only grow/survive in water at or below a certain temperature.

One thing that does seem fairly clear to me is that the steam coming off a hot tub could not possibly be contaminated with bugs unless the water that is creating that steam is also contaminated. The germs have to come from somewhere, that seems fairly self explanatory.

But i'd really like a firm conclusion to all of this - I love my spa - it's a guaranteed way to immediately warm myself up, as having next to no body fat, i feel the cold quite badly.

As for the antibotics theory - i tend to agree that taking antibiotics when no bugs are being cultured is pretty silly - a) these are very toxic drugs, some with rather severe side effects and b) the potential these bugs have to develop resistance to these drugs, sometimes quite quickly - I just can't see the sense in putting the body through treatment and perpetuating the possibility of resistance developing, when no bugs are growing anyway. What are they planning to kill with these drugs if there is nothing there in the first place........??? I don't get it and every time i read in this forum that this is happening to children who show no signs of illness, it concerns me greatly.

Don't get me wrong, if bugs are culturing then hit them and hit them hard - i fully agree - but to be so aggressive when faced with a complete lack of evidence that anything is actually there in the first place and the lung function is 100% or more, just seems to me to be an unwarranted risk to the overall health and outcome of the cf'er.

Anyway i'm way off track here - if anybody reading this knows of any studies that have been done in this area and the outcomes of these, I would really love to know about them. I'm contemplating getting rid of our spa at the moment for this very reason.

Cheers
Kat (37 with CF, NZ)

 

[jenhum]

It has never even occurred to me not to get in a public pool or hot tub. The pool at our apartment complex is heated during the winter (it's outdoors), so would it be bad to go in that?

 

[jenhum]

It has never even occurred to me not to get in a public pool or hot tub. The pool at our apartment complex is heated during the winter (it's outdoors), so would it be bad to go in that?

 

[anonymous]

We had a hot tub and gave it away shortly after DS was diagnosed. DH and I pretty much were the only ones who used it, but sometimes if we weren't using it as much in the summer water would get kinda stagnant and stinky, so DS would add more bromine, sometimes shock it and then the chemicals would almost be too much for me. And don't get me started about letting nieces, nephews and friends kids use the hot tub and we'd later find out that someone peed in it. I felt it was just too much of a risk to have around.

 

[anonymous]

We had a hot tub and gave it away shortly after DS was diagnosed. DH and I pretty much were the only ones who used it, but sometimes if we weren't using it as much in the summer water would get kinda stagnant and stinky, so DS would add more bromine, sometimes shock it and then the chemicals would almost be too much for me. And don't get me started about letting nieces, nephews and friends kids use the hot tub and we'd later find out that someone peed in it. I felt it was just too much of a risk to have around.