Legionella Make Water a Danger
- Legionella bacteria in tap water pose a recurring health risk in Austria, leading to fatalities each year.
- According to Ojan Assadian, president of the Austrian Society for Hospital Hygiene (ÖGKH), Legionella bacteria thrive in water temperatures between 104 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit (40 to 45...
- Experts caution that diagnosing Legionnaires' disease can be challenging.
Legionella Prevention: Simple Steps to Avoid Deadly Bacteria
Table of Contents
- Legionella Prevention: Simple Steps to Avoid Deadly Bacteria
- Legionella Prevention: your Questions answered
- What is Legionella and Why should I Be Concerned?
- How Does Legionella Spread?
- What Health Problems Can Legionella Cause?
- What are the Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease?
- What’s the Difference Between Legionnaires’ Disease and Pontiac fever?
- Who Is Most at Risk from Legionella?
- What Water Temperatures Does Legionella Thrive In?
- How Can I Prevent Legionella in My Home?
- How Often Should I Flush my Taps?
- How Long Should I Run Cold Water To Check Its Temperature?
- How Hot Should My Hot Water Be?
- Are Water Filter systems Effective Against Legionella?
- Can Other Sources Besides Household Plumbing Be affected by Legionella?
- summary of Key Prevention Tips:
Published: June 14, 2016
Legionella bacteria in tap water pose a recurring health risk in Austria, leading to fatalities each year. In 2014, there were 133 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe pneumonia caused by Legionella, with approximately 10% of those infected succumbing to the illness. Though, health officials emphasize that many of these infections are preventable. The Forum Water Hygiene (FWH) is actively working to raise public awareness about the risks and preventative measures.
Understanding Legionella Risks
According to Ojan Assadian, president of the Austrian Society for Hospital Hygiene (ÖGKH), Legionella bacteria thrive in water temperatures between 104 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit (40 to 45 degrees Celsius). Assadian stated that inhalation of these bacteria can cause Legionnaires’ disease, which was first identified in the United States in 1976. simple precautions within homes can considerably reduce the risk. Assadian recommends flushing water taps for about 10 minutes, noting that water can become hazardous after approximately two weeks of stagnation.
legionnaires’ Disease vs. Pontiac Fever
Experts caution that diagnosing Legionnaires’ disease can be challenging. Severe cases often occur in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with chronic heart or lung conditions, and typically involve high concentrations of the bacteria. However, Legionella pneumophila can also cause Pontiac fever, a milder illness with flu-like symptoms. Assadian notes that pontiac fever is frequently misdiagnosed as a common summer flu, obscuring the actual cause.
Water Quality: A Perishable Resource
Herbert Wimberger, president of the FWH, stresses the importance of recognizing water as a perishable resource. “Water is perishable; its packaging is the pipes, and its storage time is not recognizable,” Wimberger said. To ensure water safety, Wimberger advises checking that cold water remains below 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) after running for 30 seconds and that hot water reaches at least 131 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius) within the same timeframe. Regular flushing of infrequently used taps is also crucial, as stagnant water should be discarded.
caution with Water Filter Systems
Wolfgang Zerobin,department head of the Viennese waterworks,advises caution regarding excessive preventative measures,particularly with filter systems. Zerobin warns that “filter systems should be enjoyed with caution, as depending on the mesh size, they are also suitable for breeding microorganisms.” While the FWH aims to highlight potential drinking water issues, Zerobin notes that the source of Legionella is not limited to household plumbing, as cooling towers can also contribute to the problem.
Legionella Prevention: your Questions answered
This article provides essential information on Legionella bacteria and how to protect yourself. We’ll cover the risks, preventative measures, and important considerations for maintaining safe water quality.
What is Legionella and Why should I Be Concerned?
Legionella is a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness, including Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. According to the provided article, it poses a recurring health risk, leading to fatalities each year, specifically in Austria. In 2014, there were 133 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease. The potential severity makes understanding and preventing exposure vitally critically important. Recognizing health officials’ statements that many infections are preventable further highlights the need for awareness.
How Does Legionella Spread?
Legionella bacteria primarily spread through the inhalation of contaminated water droplets. These droplets can be created by:
Showers
Faucets
Cooling towers (as mentioned in the text)
What Health Problems Can Legionella Cause?
Legionella bacteria can cause two main illnesses:
Legionnaires’ Disease: This is a severe form of pneumonia.
Pontiac Fever: A milder,flu-like illness.
What are the Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease typically involves symptoms such as:
High fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Other pneumonia-like symptoms
What’s the Difference Between Legionnaires’ Disease and Pontiac fever?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe pneumonia, often requiring hospitalization. pontiac fever, on the other hand, is a milder illness presenting wiht flu-like symptoms, which, according to the source, can be easily misdiagnosed as a common summer flu, sometimes obscuring the real cause.
Who Is Most at Risk from Legionella?
Individuals with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms from Legionnaires’ disease. This includes those with:
Chronic heart conditions
* Chronic lung conditions
What Water Temperatures Does Legionella Thrive In?
Legionella bacteria thrive in water temperatures between 104 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit (40 to 45 degrees Celsius), as stated by Ojan Assadian, president of the Austrian Society for Hospital Hygiene (ÖGKH).
How Can I Prevent Legionella in My Home?
Simple precautions within homes can considerably reduce the risk of Legionella. Ojan Assadian recommends flushing water taps for about 10 minutes, noting that water can become hazardous after approximately two weeks of stagnation.
How Often Should I Flush my Taps?
Herbert Wimberger, president of the FWH, advises regular flushing of infrequently used taps becuase stagnant water should be discarded.
How Long Should I Run Cold Water To Check Its Temperature?
According to the source text, cold water should remain below 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) after running for 30 seconds.
How Hot Should My Hot Water Be?
Hot water should reach at least 131 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius) within 30 seconds of running.
Are Water Filter systems Effective Against Legionella?
Wolfgang Zerobin, department head of the viennese waterworks, advises caution regarding water filter systems. Depending on the mesh size, they can be suitable for breeding microorganisms.
Can Other Sources Besides Household Plumbing Be affected by Legionella?
Yes, the source of legionella isn’t limited to household plumbing. Cooling towers can also contribute to the problem, as noted by wolfgang Zerobin.
summary of Key Prevention Tips:
The following table summarizes the key recommendations for preventing Legionella exposure:
| Key Recommendation | Details |
| :————————— | :————————————————————————————————————————————– |
| Flush Taps Regularly | Flush infrequently used taps regularly; stagnant water should be discarded. |
| Check Cold Water Temp | Ensure cold water remains below 68°F (20°C) after running for 30 seconds. |
| Check Hot Water Temp | Ensure hot water reaches at least 131°F (55°C) within 30 seconds. |
| Use Water Filter Systems Cautiously | Filter systems should be used with caution, as they might be a suitable environment for breeding microorganisms, depending on the mesh size. |