It is really important to keep your water supply clean and safe. Dirty taps, showers and toilets can harbour all sorts of nasty bugs and bacteria that can make you unwell.
Although the number of people drowning in and around the home is low, it is still a risk and children under the age of 6 and the elderly are more at risk. Hot water is also dangerous and can cause nasty burns and scalds, so stay safe and follow this simple advice.
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal disease that is caused by legionella bacteria.
People can become infected by breathing in small droplets of water contaminated by the bacteria, but the disease cannot be passed from one person to another.
Everyone is potentially at risk of infection, but some people are more at risk. This includes people over 45 years of age, smokers and heavy drinkers, those suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease and people with a low immune system.
Legionella bacteria are common in natural water courses such as rivers and ponds. Since the bacteria are widespread in the environment, they may contaminate and grow in other water systems such as hot and cold-water services. But they are killed by high temperatures.
The symptoms of legionaries disease are often mistaken for the flu. They include a high temperature, fever and chills, cough, muscle pains and a headache. In a severe case, pneumonia can develop, and a person can have diarrhoea as well as signs of confusion.
If you develop these symptoms and you are worried that it might be Legionnaires’ disease, see your doctor. If you are diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease please contact us.