A common cold often leaves a person feeling run down, with muscle aches and congestion. Many people wonder if a hot tub can offer relief or if it poses a risk when the body is fighting an infection. The safety of using a hot tub while ill depends entirely on the severity of symptoms and the presence of fever. While a brief, mild soak may temporarily ease discomfort, an extended period in hot water can create physical challenges that may worsen the cold or lead to complications.
Body Temperature Regulation During Illness
When the body fights a virus, it often raises its core temperature to create a less hospitable environment for the pathogen, resulting in a fever. Immersing oneself in hot tub water, typically maintained between 100°F and 104°F, forces the body’s internal temperature to rise further. This added heat interferes with the body’s natural thermal regulation processes already strained by the infection.
An excessive increase in core body temperature can lead to hyperthermia, posing a significant safety risk. When ill, the body’s system for cooling itself down is less efficient, and the high heat can quickly cause lightheadedness, dizziness, or nausea. Using a hot tub when a fever is present is strongly advised against, as it can dangerously elevate the body’s temperature.
Effect on Respiratory Symptoms
The most often cited benefit of using a hot tub during a cold is the temporary relief from congestion that the steam provides. The hot, moist air rising from the water acts similarly to a steamer or humidifier, helping to thin mucus and clear nasal passages. This temporary opening of the airways can make breathing easier and may offer a short-lived sense of comfort.
The warmth of the water can also help soothe generalized body aches and muscle tension often accompanying a cold. However, while the steam may help with congestion, the overall heat can sometimes increase swelling in mucous membranes, potentially exacerbating sinus pressure or headaches. Any perceived symptom relief from a hot tub is temporary and does not shorten the duration of the illness.
Dehydration and Medication Risks
Illness, especially when accompanied by a fever or increased mucus production, can already put a person at risk for dehydration. The high temperature of a hot tub causes the body to sweat more profusely, accelerating fluid loss through the skin. This fluid loss is compounded by the fact that the body is already working hard to maintain fluid balance while sick.
This dehydration risk becomes more concerning when combined with common cold medications. Many over-the-counter decongestants can slightly elevate heart rate, and combining this effect with the circulatory stress of high heat can be taxing on the heart. Furthermore, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen taken for cold symptoms can place stress on the liver or kidneys, and dehydration or heat stress can negatively impact how the body processes these medications.
Contagion and Shared Hot Tub Etiquette
When considering a shared or public hot tub, the risk shifts from personal safety to public health. While the cold virus is not typically spread through properly sanitized hot tub water, the risk of transmission from respiratory droplets remains high. Coughing, sneezing, or blowing the nose near the water’s edge or shared surfaces can easily spread germs to others.
If symptoms are mild and a person is using a private hot tub, the risk of transmission is lower, but hygiene is paramount. However, using any shared facility while actively sick is generally considered poor etiquette and can put others at risk. To protect the community, it is best to avoid public hot tubs entirely until all cold symptoms have fully resolved.