Having legionella bacteria in your building’s water supply is a problem, but do you know why? We look into why this particular bacteria is more of an issue than many others, and who might be most at risk when they come into contact with it.
To start with, legionella bacteria is what causes legionnaires’ disease which itself is a form of pneumonia which can (often) be fatal, and if the patient does survive they can be left with a number of long lasting, maybe even life changing, problems such as persistent fatigue, neuromuscular issues, and neurological complaints.
Some people can come into contact with legionella bacteria and not be affected. Healthy adults who don’t smoke are a very low risk group, for example. However, there are some groups who are extremely susceptible to the dangerous problems that inhaling legionella bacteria can cause.
The most at risk group are this who have a compromised immune system. Clearly, introducing a foreign bacteria into the lungs is never a good thing, but for those who are unable to fight it, it can be devastating. Those who have recently been the recipient of an organ transplant or who have conditions that affect the immune system such as HIV or AIDS could easily catch legionnaires’ disease, and easily die from it.
Another at risk group is the elderly. Again, their immune systems become frail over time, and are less able to combat the effects of harmful bacteria entering the lungs. The same is true for children and babies whose immune system may not be fully working yet. All of these people as well as those who are suffering from heart conditions, undergoing chemotherapy, and who smoke (as well as a number of other risk factors) could all be victims of legionella bacteria.
This is why it is so important to test the water within your building regularly, and even more so if the members of the public who use the building or the employers who work there fall into any of the at risk groups.
Contact Assured Water Hygiene today to begin the process of understanding more about your legionella risk. On site training, a risk assessment, and regular water testing will all help to make your building a safer one for everyone.