Can you get Legionnaires disease from a shower head?

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asked Jun 29, 2019 in Diseases Conditions by AmeliaFarm (310 points)
Can you get Legionnaires disease from a shower head?

2 Answers

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answered Jun 29, 2019 by Cicero (4,320 points)
Getting Legionnaires disease from a shower head is possible but very unlikely.

However if you haven't used your shower within a week such as from being on vacation and then coming back to use the shower again there could be bacteria in the shower head and water that is in the shower head pipes and the pipes leading up to the shower head.

If you haven't used to your shower within a week you should turn the hot water side on and let the hot water run through the shower head for a few minutes to flush out any bacteria that could be in the shower head.

Without the bacteria in the shower head you would not be able to get Legionnaires disease from a shower head.

I always clean my shower head as well with vinegar and water using a plastic bag tied to the shower head which helps to kill bacteria in the shower head as well.

I also clean my shower every few days to get rid of any mold on the shower as well.

I like my bathroom to be healthy and clean.
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answered Feb 26, 2022 by Amos321 (5,590 points)
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia lung inflammation usually caused by infection.

It's caused by a bacterium known as legionella.

Most people catch Legionnaires' disease by inhaling the bacteria from water or soil.

Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria.

Legionnaires' disease doesn't spread from person to person. Instead, the bacteria spreads through mist, such as from air-conditioning units for large buildings.

Adults over the age of 50 and people with weak immune systems, chronic lung disease, or heavy tobacco use are most at risk.

Many people exposed to the bacteria don't develop symptoms.

Those who do develop symptoms may experience cough, fever, chills, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headaches, and diarrhea.

Legionnaire's disease can be treated with antibiotics.

Legionnaires disease can be cured if caught and treated soon enough.

Most cases of Legionnaires disease can be cured through the use of antibiotics which kill of the bacteria in your body that causes the Legionnaires disease.

When you Legionnaires disease the Legionnaires usually takes up to 10 days to develop once you get it.

So you may not show any signs or symptoms of the Legionnaires disease until 10 days later.

If you're a smoker you have a higher risk of developing Legionnaires disease than someone who does not smoke.

Some signs and symptoms of Legionnaires disease are headaches, muscle aches, fever, shortness of breath and cough.

People usually get Legionnaires disease when they have been in contact and have been exposed to the bacteria that causes the Legionnaires disease.

It's most common to get Legionnaires disease from a shower that has the bacteria in it.

So make sure you keep your shower clean and disinfected to prevent the possibility of getting Legionnaires disease.

By the second or third day of developing the disease you might also experience symptoms such as Cough, which might bring up mucus and sometimes blood.

Chest pain may also occur as well as thing such as Confusion or other mental change as well as Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

If you think you or someone has Legionnaires disease you need medical attention because when Legionnaires disease is left untreated it can be fatal.

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