Avoid Hot Tubs and Spas During Winter, May Spread Illnesses

Disease outbreaks may also take place during the winter, especially among people who are fond of using hot tubs and public spas, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Between 2009 and 2010, there were a reported 81 outbreaks and 1,326 cases of illness in the United States linked to recreational water exposure. An outbreak is defined as two or more people who visited the same location, around the same time, getting sick, according to FOX News. 18 of these outbreaks or approximately 22 percent were linked with hot tubs or spas, and about 40 percent occurred in February or March. Many of the outbreaks occurred in hotels.

An infection with the bacterium Pseudonomas aeruginosa is one of the most common types of illnesses linked with hot tub and spa outbreaks. Healthy people can develop the infections including ear infections and skin rashes after being exposed to hot tubs that have not been properly chlorinated. The infection, also known as "hot-tub rash" often appears in the shape of the bathing suit the person is wearing, because the suit holds the contaminated water.

Due to the very high levels of temperature in hot tubs, it can be difficult to keep the level of disinfectant as high as it needs to be, said Michel Hlavsa, an epidemiologist at the CDC's Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch. Hlavsa also suggests that "awareness of recreational-water outbreaks is important all-year round." Swimmers can protect themselves by taking a pre-swim shower and not swimming if they are suffering from diarrhea. Avoiding to swallow pool or tub water is also highly recommended.