Bacteria Causes 'Hot Tub Lung'

But Good Maintenance Should Reduce Risk of Hot Tub Lung Infection

(WebMD)  They were eventually diagnosed with hot tub lung after doctors looked at X-rays and found a particular bacterium in lung secretions, lung tissue, or hot tub water. The bacterium, called Mycobacterium avium, can get into the lungs and cause infection from the bubbling hot water and the mist that it creates.


Main Culprit: Poorly Maintained Hot Tubs

The infection is more likely to occur if the hot tub isn't properly maintained.

Hanak says the condition occurs when individuals don't change the water and the filter in the hot tub frequently enough and don't shower before getting in the tub.

"While the disease isn't transmittable, the whole family can get it by sitting in the hot tub. People need to be really careful with hot tub maintenance," he says.

According to the CDC, water temperatures above 84 degrees make chlorine lose most of its disinfectant properties.

The problem often is compounded when the patients get ill, are extremely tired, and are coughing, he says. "They get back in the hot tub thinking the mist will help their cough. This only makes the problem worse. This is even more likely to happen if the hot tub is inside."

In the early stages, all you have to do is tell patients to drain the hot tub and stay away from it, Hanak advises. However, some patients must be placed on anti-inflammatory steroids and antibiotics.

With this treatment nearly 44 percent of the patients had their symptoms clear up during a follow-up of almost 10 months; the others had improvement, he notes. "Sometimes this takes about a year to completely clear up."

Sources: American Thoracic Society 2005 International Conference, San Diego, May 20-25, 2005. Vitrik Hanak, MD, pulmonary fellow, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. J. Randall Curtis, MD, international program chairman, ATS.