Should You Go In A Hot Tub With A Fever? 

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When I feel ill, I sometimes crave the luxurious feeling of a hot tub. However, not everything that feels good for you is actually good for you. So, it’s important not to make your symptoms worse. 

Overall, it is not advisable to use a hot tub with a fever but if you are intent on it, there are some extra precautions you should take before doing so and some risks that you should be aware of before you do to ensure that you don’t make your fever worse. 

Why You Shouldn’t Go In A Hot Tub With A Fever

It’s important to note that a fever is generally a symptom of something else, normally a virus. Without being sure of what your fever is a symptom of, it’s impossible to make a fully informed decision about going in a hot tub. 

You should absolutely avoid using a hot tub if you have any other symptoms like chills, or vomiting. I once vomited in a hot tub (from alcohol, not a fever) and let me tell you, I still have nightmares about it! 

If you have any preexisting medical conditions, you should consult with your doctor before using a hot tub. Those same preexisting conditions could also worsen the symptoms of a fever, so be extra careful if this applies to you. 

If you have a fever, there is a high chance that you are infectious, so getting in a hot tub with other people will risk passing the infection to them. On the other hand, you are also at more risk of fainting when you have a fever, and so going in the hot tub alone also puts you at higher risk. This is partly why I personally would avoid going in a hot tub at all when you have a fever. 

Precautions To Take If Using A Hot Tub With A Fever

If, despite my warnings, you are insistent on using a hot tub with a fever, there are some precautions you should take to minimise risk. I want to make it clear that I STRONGLY advise against using a hot tub with a fever. 
 

• Monitor Your Temperature: 
  A fever is often accompanied by a high temperature, and so you need to be extra careful about overheating if you use a hot tub. Be sure to monitor your temperature closely and get out of the tub if your fever goes above 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius). 

• Stay Hydrated: 
  Fevers often make you sweat, and so do hot tubs, you run the risk of being dehydrated by combining these. If you are going to use a hot tub with a fever, it is important to drink plenty of fluids before and after to maintain your hydration and replace the liquid you have lost via sweating. 

• Clean Hot Tub Afterwards: 
  If you have used a hot tub while you have a fever, there is a chance you have contaminated the water with whatever virus was causing your fever. Be sure to clean the hot tub before you or anyone else uses it again. 

• Listen To Your Body: 
  Be extra aware of signals your body is sending you. If you start feeling faint, dizzy, nauseous, or tired, you should get out of the hot tub immediately. 

• Consider Alternatives: 
  A hot bath or a shower might provide you with a similar sense relaxation and relief that a hot tub would, but without the added risk. 

Does A Hot Tub Help With A Cold?

A cold is a lot less intense than a fever and there is not as much risk to using a hot tub when you have a cold. Although you should still pay attention to the precautions listed above and leave the hot tub if you start feeling more unwell. 

Many people find that spending time in a hot tub can help them feel better when they’re suffering from a cold or flu.  

I find that when I have a cold or blocked sinuses, that the heat and humidity of a hot tub can help loosen my congestion and make it easier for me to breathe. This is similar to the hydrotherapy treatments they used to give TB sufferers, although obviously nowhere near as intense! 

Are Hot Tubs Good For You When You Are Sick?

Yes, if used carefully, hot tubs can be beneficial for you when you feel under the weather. Soaking in warm water can help reduce muscle aches and pains and improve your blood circulation. 

The heat and steam can also help with sinus congestion. I regularly get blocked sinuses and I often find that 15 minutes in the hot tub helps clear my sinuses and lets me breathe much easier. This is especially useful in the evenings when sinus inflammation can be worse. 

Hot tubs also help you to relax and relieve stress. As stress can cause or worsen a variety of health conditions. Taking time out to regularly relax can be beneficial for your health and a hot tub is a great way to do that. I personally feel like my own health has improved a great deal since I started using a hot tub and I think a big reason for that is that using a hot tub means setting aside time when I’m relaxing and away from my laptop/work. 

That said, if you are suffering from any persistent or reoccurring health problems, you should consult your doctor. A hot tub can be beneficial but should never replace proper medical care, medicine, healthy eating, and other parts of a well-rounded healthy way of living. 

So go ahead and give it a try the next time you’re feeling under the weather, just remember to be careful and follow the tips in this article to stay safe!