Legionnaires' disease is most often contracted by inhaling mist from water sources such as whirlpool baths, showers, and cooling towers that are contaminated with Legionella bacteria. There is no evidence for person-to-person spread of the disease.Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include fever, chills, and a cough that may or may not produce sputum. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and confusion. This list of symptoms, however, does not readily distinguish Legionnaires' disease from other types of pneumonia. Legionnaires' disease is confirmed by laboratory tests that detect the presence of the bacterium, Legionella pnuemophila, or the presence of other bacteria in the family Legionellaceae. It is the most often treated with the antibiotic drug Erythromycin. Although Legionnaires' disease has a mortality rate of 5 to 15 percent, many people may be infected with the bacterium that causes the disease, yet not develop any symptoms. It is likely that many cases of Legionnaires' disease go undiagnosed.

Legionnaires' disease can be viewed as an example of how our physical environment affects our health. Relative humidity, temperature, and other environmental factors can alter the incidence and the fatality rates of infectious diseases, including Legionnaires' disease. For example, cooling towers and evaporative condensers of large air conditioning systems have been associated with outbreaks of the disease, and the highest incidence of Legionnaires' disease occurs in the warmest months of the year, the time when air conditioning systems are used the most.window ac unit stinksLegionella infection – or Legionnaires' disease – is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. bryant ac unit reset buttonThe bacteria is found in damp or wet environments, ranging from damp gardening soils to spa baths.westinghouse split ac unit

There are a few simple things you can do around the home to avoid or prevent conditions that allow Legionella to grow to high levels. Legionella bacteria can be found in potting mixes, composts, mulches, soil conditioners and gardening soils. This includes bagged material and soils purchased in bulk form, such as a trailer load of mulch. They can be harmful to your health if you do not take some simple precautions. Evaporative units used for home air conditioning are a potential source of Legionnaires' disease. Some simple steps should be followed to maintain your evaporative air conditioner. At the end of summer: Air conditioning firms can provide a cleaning and maintenance service. With all evaporative coolers always make sure the water supply is clean and fresh. Portable evaporative units should be completely drained and cleaned at least once during hot weather, and left dry when not in use. Units such as domestic refrigerated/reverse cycle integrated and split systems remove heat and moisture from the air without using water.

They do not harbour Legionella bacteria. Regularly clean and disinfect your spa as per manufacturer’s recommendations to control the growth of Legionella bacteria. This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions. Swimming pools and spasYou are here : Home > Legionnaires Disease Air Conditioning and Legionnaire’s Disease Occasional outbreaks of Legionnaire’s Disease in the UK in recent years have created concerns surrounding the possible links between the disease and air conditioning systems back to the attention of the public.

But what are the symptoms of Legionnaire’s Disease and how can businesses help to prevent its spread? What is Legionnaire’s Disease? Legionnaire’s (Legionellosis) is caused by Legionella Pneumophila, a bacterium usually found in streams, rivers and lakes. There are two basic forms of the infection: Legionnaire’s Disease is a serious form of the Legionellosis infection. Symptoms include chills, fever, a cough, tiredness and fatigue, headache and muscle ache and decreased appetite. Distinguishing Legionnaire’s Disease can be difficult, as chest scans and X-rays taken from patients can often present as pneumonia. Additional tests will be required for a patient to be firmly diagnosed with Legionnaire’s Disease. Pontiac Fever, which is a milder form of Legionellosis does not include pneumonia-loke symptoms. Symptoms include muscle ache and fever. Patients suffering from Pontiac Fever typically recover within 2-5 days with no need for medical treatment. The onset of Pontiac fever typically occurs within 2 hours and up to 2 days following exposure and Legionnaire’s Disease within 2-10 days of exposure.

Who can contract Legionellosis? Anyone can contract Legionnaire’s Disease. However, the illness typically affects individuals with a compromised immune system, chronic diseases that affect the lungs, smokers or those who are middle aged or older. How is Legionellosis contracted? Legionnaire’s Disease is most commonly contracted when an individual inhales fine mist from a source of water that has been contaminated with the Legionella Pneumophila bacterium. For Legionella Pneumophila to multiply, organic matter such as algae, rust, scale or sludge should be present to provide the bacteria with nutrients to feed on. Water temperature should be between 20C-45C. Legionnaire’s Disease is not contagious in that it cannot pass from patient to patient. For illness to occur, a susceptible or vulnerable person needs to come into contact with breathable droplets of contaminated water. Where can Legionellosis be contracted? Legionella Pneumophila bacteria can be found within:

Hot water tank-supplied showers Some types of water-cooled air conditioning systems Can Legionella contamination be prevented? The primary cause of air conditioning and Legionnaire’s Disease contamination is poor maintenance and design. One of the most effective means of protecting the system from contamination, and therefore protecting you and the occupants of the building from Legionnaire’s Disease is by installing a system that uses air-cooled refrigerant. This avoids water mist or aerosols associated with water-based systems which means that the system carries absolutely zero risk of Legionella contamination. When a water-based system is used, the system should undergo regular maintenance checks and should be cleaned regularly in order to prevent the build-up of the algae, rust, sludge and scale that can provide the perfect environment for the Legionella bacteria to flourish. What should I do if I think my air conditioning system is at risk? If you suspect that your air conditioning system is at risk of contamination, we recommend seeking urgent advice from a trained professional.

Should a Legionella outbreak occur, the relevant authorities will likely investigate whether you could have done more to prevent the outbreak and to safeguard the occupants or those in and around the building. To learn more about the responsibilities of employers, visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/iacl27.pdf, and to learn more about the responsibilities of those who provide residential accommodation, visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg376.pdf What can I do if my system is already contaminated? Options are available for systems that may already be contaminated, including ionisation, chlorination and heat treatments. You should contact a trained expert should an outbreak occur for expert advice on preventing contamination outbreaks in the future and on decontaminating existing equipment. Any air conditioning system installed and/or maintained by the team at Andrews Air Conditioning is not at risk of Legionella contamination. We specialise in systems that use an air-cooled refrigerant, which means that the requisite environment for the spread of bacteria is not present.