Legionnaires Disease

Transcription

1 Legionnaires Disease Information for you Follow us on Find us on Facebook at Visit our website: All our publications are available in other formats

2 What is Legionnaires Disease? Legionnaires Disease is a bacterial disease that can cause pneumonia. Legionella, the bacterium (germ) that causes this infection, normally lives in water. Who can get Legionnaires Disease? Anyone can be affected by Legionnaires Disease. The disease is more common and more severe in men, people over 50 years of age, smokers and those who may already have underlying lung conditions - for example, asthma or chronic airways disease. People with poor immune systems are also at an increased risk of infection. What are the symptoms? The symptoms of Legionnaires Disease are similar to flu. These include fever, headache, dry cough, muscle aches and pains and tiredness. Symptoms often lead to pneumonia. Sometimes people will also suffer from diarrhoea. People infected with Legionella may become confused. But not everyone has all these symptoms. 2

3 How soon do symptoms occur? Symptoms most often occur two to ten days after being exposed to the bacterium. In rare cases some people with poor immune systems may develop symptoms as late as three weeks after exposure. Where is the Legionella organism found? Legionella organisms are widely spread throughout the environment. They can be found in water sources such as freshwater ponds, hot and cold water systems, air conditioning systems and cooling towers. Legionella organisms in the environment usually cause no harm. Problems can happen when the organisms find an ideal environment in which to multiply and are then given an opportunity to spread in droplets through the air - for example, from air conditioning systems, showers or jacuzzis. Occasionally, Legionella is associated with soil or composted material. For more information, see section on advice for gardeners. 3

4 How is Legionnaires Disease spread? The disease is spread through the air from a water source. It is not spread from one person to another person. Breathing in aerosols from a contaminated water source is the most likely route of transmission - for example, from a spray from an infrequently used or faulty shower. About 50 per cent of people with Legionnaires Disease in the UK get the infection when travelling abroad. How is it diagnosed? We diagnose Legionnaires Disease by taking a urine or blood test once symptoms start to show. We can sometimes detect the bacterium from a sputum (mucus or phlegm) sample. Can Legionnaires Disease be treated? Yes, Legionnaires Disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Most people affected recover following antibiotic treatment. However, a small percentage of cases will develop more serious infection. 4

5 Prevention Regulations exist in the UK to make sure water suppliers and air conditioning systems are as safe as possible. Risk of Legionnaires Disease can be reduced by proper water management systems. It is however very difficult to completely get rid of this bacteria from all water systems. Identification of possible sources A member of staff from the Public Health Department and an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) will usually contact you and will work together to find the possible sources of your infection. It would be very helpful if you are able to remember your movements and activities in the 14 days before your symptoms started. Advice for gardeners The risk of contracting Legionnaires Disease can be reduced by proper water management systems and following good hygiene practices when working with soil or composted materials. There is guidance available from the Royal Horticultural society on how to handle soil or composted material correctly. 5

6 Simple precautions: Always wash your hands after gardening and especially before eating or smoking. Wear gloves whenever handling soil or compost. Do not open bags of compost or potting materials with your head right over the bags. Avoid potting-up or sieving composted material in confined spaces. Moisten dry potting material before use. Also dampen down dry compost heaps before turning or use. Avoid splashing water around when watering pots. Avoid smoking when handling or sieving compost. Consider wearing a dust mask when turning compost heaps and handling potting or other dusty materials. Avoid storing potting materials in greenhouses, as these will heat up and may encourage Legionella. Fold over the top of compost bags when not in use. Keep water storage containers, such as tanks and butts, clean by emptying and scrubbing out 6

7 once a year. Insulate them to reduce temperature increases in warm weather. You can also paint them with a light colour to reflect the heat. Empty the water out of garden hoses after use and do not leave full hoses in the sun after use. If the temperature of stored water for use in mist irrigation or sprinklers is above 20 C, do not use. Further information For further information on Legionnaires Disease contact: Health Protection Nurse Specialist Department of Public Health NHS Ayrshire & Arran Telephone: hpteam@aapct.scot.nhs.uk 7

8 All of our publications are available in different languages, larger print, braille (English only), audio tape or another format of your choice. Tha gach sgrìobhainn againn rim faotainn ann an diofar chànanan, clò nas motha, Braille (Beurla a-mhàin), teip claistinn no riochd eile a tha sibh airson a thaghadh Tell us what you think... If you would like to comment on any issues raised by this document, please complete this form and return it to: Communications Department, 28 Lister Street, University Hospital Crosshouse, Crosshouse KA2 0BB. You can also us at: comms@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk. If you provide your contact details, we will acknowledge your comments and pass them to the appropriate departments for a response. Name Address Comment Compiled by: Public Health Department Review date: July 2015 Leaflet reference: HP GD