p>ATLANTA -- With Valentine's Day around the corner, it's the
season of tub.
But before lovebirds take a romantic dip in a whirlpool or a hot
tub, perhaps they should share a little special time with rubber
gloves and bleach.
Some public health officials and physicians are concerned that
people simply looking for a soak could walk away with respiratory
problems, urinary tract infections, rashes or even life-threatening
illnesses from unsanitary or improperly cleaned tubs and baths in
hotels, resorts and inns.
Little research has been done on the subject. But critics say
few of these hot tubs -- or the newly promoted individual jet tubs --
outside the home are maintained diligently. And unlike therapeutic
tubs used in health care settings, which have strict guidelines and
inspections, there is far less oversight over similar hotel
equipment.
``There's a real lack of data in this area,'' said Matthew
Arduino, a hospital-infections specialist with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. ``I would like to say the risk is
low. But the problem is, it is hard for us to gauge even that,
since we're only called in during outbreaks.''
In the past two decades, Arduino said public whirlpools and hot
tubs have been the primary source of several confirmed outbreaks of
disease. Among the culprits: Pontiac fever, a flulike illness
caused by the same water-dwelling organism that causes
Legionnaires' disease; folliculitis, an itchy skin rash; and
respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis. One case also involved a
10-year-old girl who contracted atopic eczema -- a skin inflammation
-- after sharing a hot tub with a friend who had fever blisters
caused by herpes simplex.
``Not to ruin anybody's romantic evening, but I have no idea why
anyone would want to sit in all that yuck,'' said Dr. Dean Edell, a
syndicated San Francisco talk-show host and physician who has
crusaded against public hot tubs. His show airs from 8 p.m. to 1
a.m. Saturdays on WGST.
The risk is high enough that medical facilities have rigorous
standards for cleaning and maintaining hot tub equipment. CDC
guidelines require sufficient chlorine levels in medical tubs and
recommend that they be drained and disinfected between patients,
Arduino said.
Hotel and motel tubs are a different matter. More hotels are
buying whirlpools, jet and hot tubs in recent years, according to
leading manufacturers (although they would not release sales
figures). But it's unclear how well they are being cleaned and
monitored, Edell said.
In Georgia, local health departments are required to inspect
hotels and motels for cleanliness and check their pools and tubs
for proper chlorination. But each county determines how often that
occurs, according to Barbara Joye, state health department
spokeswoman.
``There's only been one outbreak in the past five years that was
brought to our attention,'' Joy said. ``But we don't know about
everything that goes on out there.'' The outbreak of Pontiac fever
infected a handful of people in metro Atlanta.
And individual jet tubs, as opposed to larger, more powerful and
complex whirlpools and hot tubs, can be even more problematic.
Although health inspectors in Georgia do spot-checks of the tubs as
part of a hotel bathroom's general cleanliness, there is no special
procedure for checking the jet tubs' pipes, Joye said.
Yet, these devices are a breeding ground for microorganisms.
``Bio-film'' -- the slime of soap, body oils and other trapped
debris that clings to the pipes -- can promote such growth.
So where do hotels learn how to keep these tubs clean? The
American Hotel and Motel Association has standards for swimming
pools, but not tubs. The National Spa and Pool Institute, an
industry group, offers a brochure for homeowners but does not
typically address commercial use of hot tubs and whirlpools. In
addition, uniform cleaning guidelines don't exist.
So what can you do to make sure the only gifts you get during
Valentine's Day are flowers and candy?
--Ask the hotel management how it cleans and maintains its
whirlpools and hot tubs. And if it's a communal hot tub, ask them
when they last changed the water and checked the pH levels,
according to Jack Cergol, director of communications for the
National Spa and Pool Institute. The pH levels should fall between
7.2 and 7.8.
--Make sure that the drain is topped with what's known as an
``anti-vortex cover,'' which can prevent suction injuries. Although
the cover doesn't have anything to do with germs, its absence
indicates a serious lack of maintenance.
--If all else fails, lovebirds can take the same steps
manufacturers recommend homeowners take to clean their private jet
tubs: Pour 2 ounces of bleach into the filled tub and let it run
through the system. Then drain the water and refill the tub before
using.
