Dear Dr. Peg,
Can I get herpes or other sexually transmitted infections from sharing a water pipe?
Yes. Sharing a water pipe is a great way to catch all kinds of diseases. Do you want to hear more? You sure? It might turn you off hookah forever. All right, then. Don't say I didn't warn you.
When you share a water pipe with others, it's like kissing everyone in the circle. Whatever germs they have in their mouth hop onto the pipe mouthpiece. Then, when it's your turn, the germs swim happily into your mouth. So if the guy two seats over has a cold, you'll probably come down with that. If the gal next to you has herpes, watch out. If you have mono, the whole group might be cursing you next week. And wiping the mouthpiece off on your sleeve doesn't sterilize it. Using your own mouthpiece helps, but it doesn't guarantee anything. The germs can get down into the tubing and even live in the water. Stop and think about that for a minute.
Other germs that can be passed by sharing a pipe include hepatitis A, hepatitis C and tuberculosis. Yes, tuberculosis, that disease you thought only existed in history books. It is making a comeback, and this time around it's especially nasty. And if that isn't enough to impress you, even H. pylori has been shown to travel by hookah. That is the bacterium that causes ulcers. How's that for ironic? You settle down for a relaxing hookah session and end up with an ulcer.
What are the other dangers of hookah? Tobacco is tobacco, no matter how you get it, and tobacco smoke is hazardous. In fact, hookah smokers get more smoke than cigarette smokers, and here's why: Cigarette smoke is uncomfortably hot if you inhale it deeply. Hookah smoke has been cooled by its passage through the water. In addition, you have to inhale hard to pull the smoke through the hookah. The result is cooler smoke going farther into your lungs. Add to that the duration of a typical hookah session, and the result is huge volumes of smoke being deposited into your lungs. A study done by the World Health Organization showed that one hookah session of a mere few hours can deliver as much smoke into your lungs as 100 cigarettes - five packs. It's a rare cigarette smoker who gets that much in one day.
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Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance that is not filtered out by the water in a hookah. In addition to nicotine, you are pulling other dangerous substances through that hose. Tar is not water-soluble, so it comes on through the pipe, the same amount in one session as in a whole pack of cigarettes. Tar causes cancer. Other carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) also make it through, like heavy metals and carbon monoxide. In fact, because of the charcoal that is burned on top of the tobacco mixture, hookah smoke has a higher level of heavy metals and carbon monoxide than cigarette smoke. Hookah smokers risk cancer of the lung, lip, tongue and bladder.
As you doubtless know by now, tobacco smoke affects the cardiovascular system, causing an increased blood pressure and heart rate and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Smoke of any kind is also a lung irritant, which can trigger asthma and allergies. And, of course, the bad effects of any kind of secondhand smoke are well studied.
Hookah bars and circles are great for gathering with friends, enjoying a sensual pleasure and relaxing. I just don't think the health risks balance out the benefits. Can you think of other ways to achieve the same ends?
Peggy Spencer, M.D., has been a UNM Student Health physician for 17 years and a Daily Lobo contributing columnist for three years. She is co-author of the book 50 Ways to Leave Your 40s. E-mail your questions to her directly at Pspencer@unm.edu. All questions will be considered, and all questioners will remain anonymous. This column has general health information only and cannot replace a visit to a health provider.
