5 things you should know about Legionnaires’ disease

What is Legionnaires’ disease and how is it contracted?

Legionaires’ is a lung infection similar to pneumonia with respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, headaches, and muscle aches. It is contracted when a person breathes in water particles contaminated with Legionella bacteria. It is important to know that Legionnaire’s is not contagious.

Where is Legionella bacteria usually found?

The bacteria is typically found in water systems.  Cooling towers, hot tubs, air conditioning systems, and humidifiers are the most ususal suspects for containing Legionella bacteria.

How can Legoinnaires’ be treated?

Most patients with Legionnaires’ are given antibiotics and usually recover. However, Legionnaires’ can be fatal to high risk individuals. Those considered high risk would be smokers, elderly men and women, people with poor immune systems, and those with chronic lung disease.

What can businesses do to prevent Legionella bacteria in their water systems?

Businesses with cooling towers and other water systems should regularly maintain and clean their systems according to standard guidelines. It is also important to prevent water from becoming stagnant by flushing idle water lines. More information here http://bit.ly/1NhmeHV

How can my business test for Legionella?

Generally businesses with water systems need to be tested once at least every two years. You may consider testing earlier or more frequently with other circumstances:Recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ in area of businessChanges to a building’s water systemsNew guidelines and regulations have passed

Visit our website for more information on Legionnaires and how Watertech can help you protect others and your business from this costly and potentially deadly disease.