Most people are familiar with the
spread of water borne illnesses during the summer months, but even in the dead
of winter, diseases can be lurking in your hot tub or community spa.
In fact, during the winter months,
homeowners are more likely to frequent the community spa and avoid the pool all
together unless its heated. Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI) are caused
due to an inadequate chemical monitoring, and your members are more likely to
contract an RWI when they take a soak in the spa to unwind or soothe sore
muscles after a long day on the slopes in winter.
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) warns winter spa users to beware of Hot Tub Rash also known as
Pseudomonas Dermatitis/Foliculitis. The rash is often caused by infection with
the germ Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and may cause skin or ear infections. The
CDC lists symptoms of hot tub rash to include:
·
Itchy
spots on the skin that becomes a bumpy red rash.
·
The rash
is worse in areas that were previously covered by a swimsuit.
·
Pus-filled
blisters around hair follicles.
The CDC reports that "Hot tub rash can
occur if contaminated water comes in contact with skin for a long period of
time. The rash usually appears within a few days of being in a poorly
maintained hot tub (or spa). Most rashes
clear up in a few days without medical treatment. However, if your rash lasts
longer than a few days, consult your health care provider."
According to a Fox News Report,
"Between 2009 and 2010, there were 81 outbreaks and 1,326 cases of illness
in the United States linked to recreational water exposure (in pools, lakes,
hot tubs, etc.), according to information reported from 28 states and Puerto
Rico. (An outbreak is defined as two or more people who visited the same
location, around the same time, getting sick.) Eighteen of these outbreaks (22
percent) were linked with hot tubs or spas, and about 40 percent of the
outbreaks occurred in February or March, according to the report. Many of the
winter outbreaks occurred in hotels."
"One of the most
common illnesses linked with hot tub/spa outbreaks is infection with the
bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Healthy
people can develop Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections,
including ear infections or skin rashes, after exposure to hot tubs that have
not been properly chlorinated, according to the CDC. Called "hot-tub
rash," the infection often appears in the shape of the bathing suit a
person is wearing, because the suit holds the contaminated water, said Michele
Hlavsa, an epidemiologist at the CDC's Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch. Because of the high temperature in hot tubs,
it can be hard to keep the level of disinfectant as high as it needs to be,
Hlavsa told LiveScience."
"Preventing people from getting
sick due to contact with or ingestion of water is the primary reason pools are
constantly treated with disinfectant. The most common disinfectants used
to treat pools or spas are Hypochlorous Acid or Chlorine. Hypochlorous
Acid is stable enough to maintain a residual concentration in the water over
hours or even days. It also quickly inactivates almost all pathogens",
said Lori Cline of HOA Pool Services based in Placer County.
"Our crew of Certified Pool
Operators service the spas regularly, paying particular attention to the
importance of water chemistry and maintaining chlorine readings between 1-5
parts per million, which is recommended by the Environmental Management
Department and local County Health Inspectors." said Cline.
To read the full Fox News Report: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/01/10/hot-tubs-spas-can-spread-illness-in-winter/
To read the full CDC Report: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/rwi/illnesses/hot-tub-rash.html
To request a Spa Inspection: http://hoapoolservices.com/
