Urgent summer health warning over deadly disease that can spread in hot tubs and shower heads – how to protect yourself
AN urgent warning has been issued over a deadly disease that can spread in hot tubs and shower heads.
It is known to breed in hotter temperatures – hence a warning being issued as we head into summer, with experts offering ways to protect yourself.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection which is caused by Legionella bacteria.
You can get the illness if you breathe in tiny droplets of water containing bacteria that causes the infection.
The germs which cause it can breed in jacuzzis, hot tubs, taps, shower heads and even damp garden potting compost.
It also lurks in gardeners‘ watering cans, sprinklers and hosepipe.
A warning has been issued a company was prosecuted when five people came ill with the disease – with one even being rushed to intensive care.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is now urging Brits to take care, as germs thrive in warmer weather.
The initial symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are very similar to that of the flu.
They include headaches, muscle pain, high temperatures, tiredness and chills.
But when the bacteria spreads to the individual’s lungs the symptoms are more similar to that of pneumonia.
This includes chest pains, a persistent cough, and shortness of breath.
To minimise the risk of Legionnaires’ disease make sure disinfectants in hot tubs and spas – like chlorine – are kept at the level and pH needed stop the spread of germs.
It comes after a Brit opened up about how her trip of a lifetime turned into a living hell after catching the disease.
Pamela Farman aid her life has not been the same since the break, after she believes she caught a silent killer bug from a hot tub.
Meanwhile, in recent days the HSE revealed it looked into Riaar Plastics Limited and found the water-cooling towers at its site in West Bromwich were in an extremely poor condition.
This came after five people got sick with Legionnaires’ disease, and one ended up in intensive care and had to be put on a ventilator.
The company was fined £50,000 and told to pay £11,000 costs at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.
HSE said: “This allowed Legionella bacteria to grow in the towers and pipes, exposing employees and members of the public to risks of significant ill health.”