Most travelers are eager to take advantage of their hotel amenities (at least what’s left of them) when they travel.
From taking a quick dip in the indoor pool to melting the stress away in a steamy hot tub – your average person doesn’t think twice before jumping right in.
But once you hear the horrifying stats of what’s really lurking in your public hot tub – you’ll never want to step foot in one again.
So, what’s so bad about hot tubs?
To start – they are dirty – and full of bacteria.
Vice reported:
“Hot tubs are frequent transfer stations for bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common bacterial infection, is so strongly associated with tubs their main symptom has been dubbed “hot tub rash.”
Those afflicted experience inflammation, itching, and pus-filled blisters around hair follicles, particularly on areas of the body that were covered by a swimsuit and hence absorb a lot of hot tub water.”
Yuck!
And with the hot water – your pores open up – allowing who knows what to enter into your body.
While some hotels have stringent cleaning policies regarding their hot tubs – don’t count on that standard wherever you go.
Chances are, more than not, the public hot tub you are about to “relax” in has not been cleaned, and is downright filthy.
In fact, some bacteria caused so much damage people were hospitalized – and a few even died!
Fox News reported:
“Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia voluntarily reported 208 outbreaks associated with treated recreational water through the National Outbreak Reporting System.
Public pools, hot tubs or water playgrounds accounted for almost all of the outbreaks, resulting in at least 3,646 cases of illness, 286 hospitalizations and 13 deaths.
Thirty-four percent of the 208 outbreaks were associated with hotels or resorts, with 70% of these associated with hot tubs.”
Your average hotel worker is likely saddled with dozens of little tasks – and properly cleaning the hot tub might not be high on his agenda.
But even if the hotel keeps their hot tubs spotless – don’t count on others keeping them that way.
Perhaps you may be clean and have good hygiene…
… but that doesn’t mean the guy next to you does.
Not only are hot tubs known to harbor bacteria – but tests reveal they are full of other people’s feces too.
Gross!
Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology and environmental studies at The University of Arizona revealed just how bad it is.
Glamour reported:
“The average bather has about a tenth of a gram of feces in his gluteal fold, which is a nice way of saying butt crack,” Gerba says.
That means with five people, “you have a tablespoon of poop in the hot tub.” And beyond the gross-out factor, without safe levels of disinfectant, you can run the risk of transmitting diseases, he says.”
So, what’s a traveler to do?
Well – enter at your own risk.
Perhaps you don’t care and would rather chance it.
But if you break out in a mysterious red bumpy rash afterwards – now you’ll know why!
Do you typically use a hot tub when you travel?
Will this article make you think twice before jumping on in?
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(h/t Proud American Traveler)