Have you heard of hot tub lung? Have you experienced how bothersome it can be? This lung disease can cause damage to the lungs if it goes untreated and can be exacerbated by continued use of your hot tub while fighting the infection.

The causes and treatment of hot tub lung are quite simple, however as mentioned, it can be tough to diagnose it, which then makes it more dangerous.

What’s Hot Tub Lung?

Hot tub lung is a lung disease that is associated with indoor hot tub use. It has become known as hot tub lung because of its links to both indoor hot tub and indoor pool use.

What Causes It? What are its Symptoms?

Hot tub lung is caused by inhaling endotoxins in the form of the bacteria mycobacterium avium. In layman’s terms, it is caused by bacteria becoming aerosolized by the steaming water of your hot tub, then inhaled.

Once inside your lungs, these annoying little critters go to work causing a vast array of symptoms that will make you feel, well, bad.

There are many symptoms that you could call common when one is suffering from hot tub lung. They are:

Because these symptoms are so common, hot tub lung is often misdiagnosed as anything from bronchitis to asthma to tuberculosis.

Treating It?

In certain cases, doctors will recommend that you stay away from your hot tub entirely until your lungs have a chance to heal. In many cases, by doing this, your lungs will be able to heal and repair themselves.

In other cases, further treatment is required. In these cases, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory steroids are used for the patients. Be prepared for the treatment to last a while, as many cases can take up to a year to heal fully.

Preventing It?

Changing your water on a regular basis is the best way to stay hot tub lung free. While you can sometimes get away with just rinsing your filters, it’s better if you clean your entire hot tub every few months. If you make sure you take care of the water the way you should be you shouldn’t ever have to worry about contracting hot tub lung.