Can You Transfer Shingles in a Hot Tub?

This is not medical advice; please visit a doctor:

I would not enter a hot tub with anyone who has shingles or any rash whatsoever. A relative who has used our hot tub many times announced that they had a small rash on their back while sitting in the tub. They were diagnosed with shingles. I use my hot tub every single night and was diagnosed with shingles last week. I asked the doctor about the likelihood that two of us using the same tub now have shingles, and the doctor said that if that person's rash was seeping, they were in the contagious stage. The steam and heat of the tub open up the pores, making it likely to be exposed, especially to those with compromised immune systems. He advised me to empty the water and clean it thoroughly to protect my other family members. We add necessary chemicals and regularly test the tub. In this case, the coincidence was very high. If you have a rash, stay out of pools and hot tubs until it is completely gone.

This is not medical advice; please visit a doctor.

Though a "sample size of three" is not predictive, my brother, a friend, and I have all reported that shingles occurred in exactly the same spot as the jacuzzi jet on our backs around the hip area at a time when we all first began using the hot tub (winter). Could it be that the high water pressure and high water temperature "awaken" dormant shingles, leading to a significant medical problem? Has anyone else experienced shingles under the same conditions? I would stay away from hot tubs if I sensed even the slightest problem with shingles. There seems to be too much coincidence here.

This is not medical advice; please visit a doctor.

Though a "sample size of three" is not predictive, my brother, a friend, and I have all reported that shingles occurred in exactly the same spot as the jacuzzi jet on our backs around the hip area at a time when we all first began using the hot tub (winter). Could it be that the high water pressure and high water temperature "awaken" dormant shingles, leading to a significant medical problem? Has anyone else experienced shingles under the same conditions? I would stay away from hot tubs if I sensed even the slightest problem with shingles. There seems to be too much coincidence here.

This is not medical advice; please visit a doctor.

Anyone with "active" shingles—i.e., fluid-filled blisters—should NOT go in a hot tub or pool. The virus is highly contagious and could infect someone through breaks in their skin or even through their respiratory tract in the hot tub vapor (which can cause chickenpox or "varicella" pneumonia). Contrary to what others have said, the spread will NOT give other people shingles, but it WILL cause chickenpox in individuals who haven't already been exposed. -MD

This is not medical advice; please visit a doctor.

Can shingles be transferred in a hot tub by an infected person? For one thing, the water temperature would kill any kind of infecting conditions, making it impossible to transfer the shingles virus or any condition, except for waterborne bacteria that can withstand the very hot conditions of the hot tub. So, no, it is not possible!

This is not medical advice; please visit a doctor.

My wife and I stayed at a resort last week. We both used the public hot tub, and she developed a bacterial infection on the lower half of her body, while I was just diagnosed with shingles. I am a healthy 32-year-old. I believe the cause may be directly related to the hot tub not being treated properly. What are your opinions?

This is not medical advice; please visit a doctor:

I would refrain from using your hot tub. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles, so there is a chance you could infect your husband and children with shingles if they have ever had chickenpox.

This is not medical advice; please visit a doctor.

If water is properly treated, there is no way to contract shingles, as the heat and chemicals kill the virus. I have had shingles, and family members have used a hot tub without ever contracting shingles.

This is not medical advice; please visit a doctor.

Unless they have never had chickenpox, the chances are virtually zero. In addition, the heat from the hot tub and the chlorine will also help prevent the spread of any viruses.

This is not medical advice; please visit a doctor.

If the water is properly treated, there is no chance of spreading shingles, as the heat and chemicals kill the virus. My family used the hot tub when I had shingles.