Is it a bad idea to sit in a hot tub when you’re sick? Yes, it can be risky.
When you’re sick, your body is already working hard to fight off illness. Sitting in a hot tub can raise your body temperature and make your heart work harder. This can be too much stress for your body when it’s trying to heal.
Also, if you have a fever, the hot water can raise your body temperature even more, which isn’t safe. Plus, if your sickness is contagious, like a cold or the flu, you might spread germs to others who use the hot tub. It’s best to rest and stay out of the hot tub until you’re feeling better.
Fever
When you have a fever, your body is already fighting an infection and running at a higher temperature. Using a hot tub during this time can raise your body temperature even more. This extra heat isn’t safe when your body is already under stress from being ill. It’s best to avoid the hot tub to prevent your fever from getting higher, which could complicate your recovery process.
Dehydration
Hot tubs naturally cause your body to sweat, which can increase dehydration. If you’re sick, you might already be dehydrated from symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. Sitting in a hot tub can make dehydration worse, which slows down your recovery. Drink plenty of fluids and skip the hot tub until you’re better.
Weakness
Illness often leads to fatigue and weakness, making it hard to handle your usual activities. The heat from a hot tub can make you feel even weaker and might cause dizziness or fainting. If you’re feeling weak, it’s safer to rest in a cooler environment. Avoid the hot tub to prevent any additional strain on your body.
Circulation Issues
If you have a cold or the flu, the heat from a hot tub can make your blood circulate faster. This might seem good, but it can actually make symptoms like a stuffy nose worse by increasing nasal congestion. Staying out of the hot tub helps keep your symptoms from worsening.
Spreading Germs
Hot tubs aren’t completely free of germs, even with proper cleaning and maintenance. If you’re contagious, using a hot tub can spread your illness to others through the water. To keep everyone safe, it’s best to avoid the hot tub until you’re no longer contagious and fully recovered.
Respiratory Distress
If you suffer from respiratory issues like bronchitis, pneumonia, or severe asthma, the hot and humid air of a hot tub can make breathing even more difficult. This environment can aggravate symptoms such as coughing fits and shortness of breath. It’s safer to avoid hot tubs when experiencing respiratory distress to prevent these symptoms from worsening and to support easier breathing.
Medication Interactions
Being in a hot tub can affect how your body handles medication. Some medications for illnesses can have increased side effects or problems with how they’re absorbed due to the high temperatures of a hot tub. This might lead to unexpected dizziness, drowsiness, or other negative reactions. Always consider how your medications could react with high heat before using a hot tub.
Nausea/Vomiting Risk
The warm and buoyant environment of a hot tub might seem relaxing, but it can increase nausea and the risk of vomiting, especially if you’re already feeling sick from stomach flu symptoms or severe morning sickness. It’s best to stay out of a hot tub if you’re experiencing these symptoms to avoid making them worse.
Open Wounds
Hot tubs can be breeding grounds for bacteria, and if you have open wounds, there’s a higher risk of infection. This risk increases especially when your immune system is weakened by illness. It’s important to keep open cuts, sores, or wounds away from hot tubs to prevent infections and support your body’s recovery.
Exacerbating Pain
While hot tubs can sometimes relieve minor aches, if you’re dealing with intense pain or swelling from conditions like the flu or physical injuries, the heat and pressure changes in a hot tub might actually make your symptoms worse. If you’re experiencing significant pain, it might be better to seek other forms of relief that are less intense and more comforting.
Final Verdict
Looking at all the factors, it’s usually not a good idea to sit in a hot tub when you’re sick. The risks often outweigh the benefits. Hot tubs can make many symptoms worse, from raising your body temperature during a fever to increasing the risk of infection in open wounds.
Hot tubs can also interfere with medications and make breathing harder if you have respiratory problems. Even the stress from the hot water can worsen pain and fatigue from common illnesses.
So, it’s best to skip the hot tub when you’re not feeling well. Resting and staying hydrated are safer ways to recover and feel better.