The Evil Genius Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 Actually, this should be an eye opener for all those who use them at other places. Be careful what you dip your toes in to. Hot Tub Cause of Man's Serious Lung Infection Mon Feb 10, 4:21 PM ET Add Health - Reuters to My Yahoo! NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A severe lung infection caused by bacteria growing in a patient's hot tub highlights the importance of following guidelines for maintaining the tubs, according to Wisconsin researchers. The 40-year-old man went to the emergency room after developing symptoms including fever, chills and a cough that produced blood. Although they initially feared the man had tuberculosis, doctors found that he had pneumonia caused by a bacterium known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Doctors were initially stumped as to the cause of the infection, but when the man was interviewed further they learned that he owned a hot tub and had been using it daily for several weeks preceding his illness. A laboratory test of the hot tub's filter later identified a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa identical to that present in the man's lungs. The man was released from the hospital after 12 days and successfully treated with a six-week course of antibiotics, Christopher J. Crnich of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison and colleagues report in the February 1st issue of journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. Although most healthy adults can fend off an infection with the bug, experts say that Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections can occur in people with immunodeficiency or chronic lung disease. The patient may have been more susceptible to the infection because he was an alcoholic and a smoker. The bacterium is found naturally in soil, water, animals and plants. It can be released from water droplets, or from the steam in hot tubs, and then inhaled into the lungs. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (news - web sites) suggests that hot tubs contain 1-3 milligrams of chlorine per liter of water and be kept at a pH of 7.2-7.8, according to the report. Many users may not realize that chlorine quickly dissipates at water temperatures above 84 degrees Fahrenheit, and that bacteria can multiply if chlorine levels drop and pH rises for as little as 24 hours, according to the researchers. "Therefore it is necessary to monitor these levels on a frequent basis, in order to make adjustments necessary to maintain the appropriate level of disinfection, and to change the water regularly, especially after heavy use," they conclude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 No one who knows what they're doing chlorinates a hot tub. There are special chemicals that are specifically used in hot tubs (I can't remember them by name because it's been years since it was my job to care for my parents' hot tub) that do quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skins24 Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 I know it's true, but that sounds remarkably like an urban legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 Ecellent post!!!!!!!!!! This will come in ahndy for me!!!!!!!This is my business, I run a pool store where we sell spas and chemicals. You have to really let the chemicals go or put pratically none in at all for something like this to happen. However....should help me spark some business this winter......... Nothing like a good ol scare tactic to lure business back through the door......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 While Pseudomonas can cause all kinds of infections, for it to have given him pneumonia pretty much means he choked on it and got it into his mouth and lungs somehow. Id be more worried about skin infections in those with open sores or blisters or diabetes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sisko Posted February 12, 2003 Share Posted February 12, 2003 Storm, the Pseudomonas bacteria was probably aerosolized and breathed in with steam from the hot water. Particles have to be very small (approx. 10 microns or less) to make it past your upper respiratory tract. I think the article made some mention of that. Quick question IAMBG. What's a good product for disinfecting/cleaning whirlpool type tubs ? A friend said that ordinary household bleach mixed with water would do the trick. Any suggestions ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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