Can Using a Hot Tub Cause Diarrhea

When kept clean, maintained, and at a safe temperature, hot tubs can be an enjoyable way to relax and unwind. But they can also be breeding grounds for diarrhea-causing germs.
Hot tubs can evoke relaxation, but there are also some safety issues to consider. Like swimming pools, hot tubs need to be kept clean and sterilized to prevent germ-causing health issues. This includes diarrhea.

Read on to learn more about how using a hot tub may cause diarrhea, how to prevent illnesses, and when you may need to call a doctor.
Can using a hot tub lead to diarrhea?
If you have three or more loose stools in a day, you may be experiencing diarrhea. Depending on the underlying cause, diarrhea can also cause abdominal pain, cramps, or flu-like symptoms.

The act of sitting in a hot tub itself isn’t likely to cause diarrhea alone. Instead, it’s the presence of certain germs in the water, such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses, that can lead to illness and subsequent diarrhea when you’re exposed to them.

Some of the most common types of germs that may be present in hot tubs or pools include:
• Cryptosporidium (Crypto): This is a type of parasite that can survive in water as well as on foods and surfaces. It spreads through stools, and the most common symptom is diarrhea. Infections can last between 1 and 2 weeks.
• Escherichia coli (E. coli): E. coli can cause diarrhea and may spread through contaminated food, water, and direct contact with other people who may be sick.

• Giardia: Giardia is another type of parasite that may be present in hot tubs and pools from the stools of a person who has it. It’s known for causing diarrhea that occurs two to five times per day, as well as fatigue. Symptoms sometimes last for several weeks.
• Norovirus: Considered the most common cause of diarrhea and vomiting in the United States, norovirus can spread through contaminated water and food. Symptoms may start within 12 hours of exposure and last for up to 1 to 3 days.
• Shigella: Shigella is a diarrhea-causing bacteria that can spread through contaminated water and food. It can cause symptoms within 1 to 2 days and may last for up to 1 week. Diarrhea from this infection can also contain blood.

You may get sick if these bacteria are present in a hot tub and you get the contaminated water in mucous membranes, such as those in your nose or mouth.
Even tubs and pools that look clean and well maintained can still contain diarrhea-causing germs. Some may survive for several minutes, and others can survive for days in chlorinated water.
How to prevent getting sick from using a hot tub
If you’re using a hot tub shared with others or in a public space, the only way you may be able to prevent related illnesses is to avoid getting water in your nose and mouth.

However, there are steps you can take to prevent passing illnesses to others if you use a hot tub. These include staying out of the hot tub if you have diarrhea and taking a 1-minute shower before getting in the water to help rinse potential germs off your
body.