What is Legionnaires disease water?

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal type of pneumonia, contracted by inhaling airborne water droplets containing viable Legionella bacteria. Such droplets can be created, for example, by: hot and cold water outlets; atomisers; wet air conditioning plant; and whirlpool or hydrotherapy baths.

What is Legionnaires disease and explain how it happens?

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria. You usually get it by breathing in mist from water that contains the bacteria. The mist may come from hot tubs, showers, or air-conditioning units for large buildings. The bacteria don’t spread from person to person.

What is Legionnaires disease and why is it called that?

Legionnaires’ disease acquired its name in 1976 after an outbreak of pneumonia occurred among people attending the American Legion convention at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia. Later, the bacterium causing the illness was named Legionella pneumophila.

How does Legionnaires disease get into water?

According to the CDC, more than half of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks are caused by the drinking water. Exposure to Legionella bacteria most often occurs when exposed to contaminated water coming out of our faucets, shower heads, and even ice machines.

How dangerous is Legionnaires disease?

Legionnaires’ disease can be deadly and may have severe complications, like septic shock and respiratory failure. Anyone who thinks they may have developed Legionnaires’ disease should seek emergency medical treatment.

What is Legionella bacteria and why is it dangerous?

What is Legionella? Legionella is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ Disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. It lives and grows naturally in water and soil. In buildings, it thrives in warm water systems like cooling towers, decorative fountains, hot tubs, whirlpools, and hot potable water systems.

How to kill Legionella?

To the best of our knowledge, one solution for killing legionella is to try using a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Apply it directly to kill it. Also, you must use protective respiratory equipment when around legionella. Legionella may become an air borne pathogen which may severely sicken or kill you.

Do water heaters protect you from Legionnaires’ disease?

Keeping your home’s water heater at 140°F will reduce the growth of Legionella. However, to reduce the risk of scalding, the temperature of water leaving the shower head or faucet should be no higher than 122°F. A qualified or licensed plumber could be contacted to installing mixing valves if your home does does not have them, to control the water temperature at the shower head or faucet.