The common illness you could catch while sleeping on holidays – five signs to watch out for
The
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Legionnaires' disease can cause severe illness and even death
Credit: Alamy
Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection caused by breathing in tiny water droplets that contain harmful bacteria.
The HSE said it's a rare condition but when caught, it can be severe and often needs urgent
Unknown to many, the illness is usually picked up in places like hotels, hospitals, office buildings or
The bacteria spreads when still water sits in pipes or systems and is released into the air in small droplets.
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According to the HSE, you can get it from things like air conditioning units, humidifiers, spa pools and hot tubs.
Even taps, toilets, showers, compost or potting mix can also pose a risk, especially in warm climates - making it more susceptible when you're on
Health bosses said that catching Legionnaires' disease in your own home is very unusual, but not impossible.
Legionnaires' disease symtoms
High fever
Persistent cough
Muscle aches and pains
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chest pain
The illness usually starts off like the flu, with fever, tiredness, headaches and muscle pain before progressing to more serious symptoms such as a cough, difficulty breathing and a high temperature.
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If your doctor suspects it, you'll likely be sent to hospital for immediate treatment and given
In severe cases, you might need oxygen through a mask or tubes if your breathing is affected as it can be fatal.
Dad-of-two placed into coma after Turkey holiday as chef, 55, 'caught rare disease from dirty 4-star hotel'
The HSE said most people make a full recovery, but it can take a few weeks to feel completely well again.
To help prevent it, the
Taps and showers that aren't often used should be turned on once a week for five to ten minutes to keep water flowing.
PREVENTION STEPS
And temperature checks are also crucial, with water at least 50 degrees for hot taps and 20 degrees or below for cold taps.
Health bosses warned that Legionella bacteria thrives in lukewarm
Building owners, hotels and workplaces are expected to follow water safety guidelines to stop outbreaks - but this can be overlooked in certain holiday destinations.
Stagnant pipes, poor maintenance or unused water systems can create ideal conditions for the disease to spread.
The HSE advises staying alert to early flu-like symptoms if you've been in a high-risk setting.
Legionnaires' disease can become very serious if left untreated and the best defence is regularly flushing your pipes and controlling water temperature.
If your symptoms progress and you are unable to contact your
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