Legionnaires' disease
Legionnaires disease is caused by Legionella bacteria infecting your lungs. It's usually caught by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. The infection isn't contagious and can't be spread directly from person to person.
Legionella bacteria isusually found (often in harmlessly low numbers) in sources of water, such as ponds, rivers and lakes. However, the bacteriacan rapidly multiply ifthey find their way into artificial water supply systems, such as air conditioning systems.
Large buildings, such as hotels, hospitals, museums and office blocks, are more vulnerable to Legionella contamination because they have larger, more complex water supply systems in which the bacteria can quickly spread.
The two things that Legionella bacteria need to grow and reproduce are:
Although rare, Legionnaires' disease has also come from contaminated showers, sprinkler systemsand spas.
Legionnaires' disease is rare in the UK. In 2013, 284 people were reported to have the infection in England and Wales. Of these cases, 88 people (31%) were exposed to the infection while travelling abroad mainly to Mediterranean countries, but also tropical countries such as India. However, given the millions of trips made abroad each year, 88 cases is a very small number.
Cases of Legionnaires' disease arising in England and Wales usually peak between July and September.
Legionnaires disease is a serious lung infection that is caused by Legionella bacteria.
Legionnaires disease is caused by Legionella bacteria infecting your lungs. It's usually caught by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. The infection isn't contagious and can't be spread
Everyone is potentially at risk of developing Legionnaires disease. However,certainthings make it more likely that you will experience a more severe form of the infection. These include: being 50 ye
Legionnaires' disease is treated with a course of antibiotics , such as erythromycin or clarithromycin. Antibiotics will be taken as a tablet or capsule, orthrough a continuous drip intoa vein in your
In some cases,Legionnaires' disease canlead tofurther, life-threatening problems. Severeinfectioncancause some organs, such as your lungs or kidneys,to stop working properly. Anothercomplication is s
The best way to prevent an outbreak of Legionnaires disease is to ensure that any water system under your control is properly maintained and conforms to relevant health and safety regulations. This m