Legionnaires Disease
I'm posting this information which I copied from a Google page, because many of us are gardeners and two of my American blog friends are currently ill and probably DON'T have this, but it is a distinct possibility.
Please be aware and wear masks when handling bagged potting mixes or bagged mulches. Be safe.
Legionnaires Disease
Legionnaires' disease usually causes fever, chills, cough
and shortness of breath. Some people also have muscle aches, headache,
tiredness, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. People can become very sick with
pneumonia; most people recover but the disease is occasionally fatal.
How is it spread?
Legionnaires' disease can occur after a person breathes in contaminated water droplets or dust. Although there are many different species of Legionella bacteria, the two that most commonly cause disease in NSW are:
Legionella pneumophila - these bacteria can contaminate air
conditioning cooling towers, whirlpool spas, shower heads and other bodies of
water.
Legionella longbeachae - these bacteria can
contaminate soil or potting mix.
People may be exposed to Legionella bacteria at home, at
work, or in public places. The time between the patient's exposure to the
bacteria and becoming sick is between two to 10 days.
Who is at risk?
Legionnaires' disease most often affects middle-aged and
older people, particularly those who smoke or who have chronic lung disease.
Also at increased risk are people whose immune systems are suppressed by
medications or diseases such as cancer, kidney failure, diabetes or HIV.
How Is It Prevented?
Legionella longbeachaeis common in the soil and potting
mix. Reduce exposure to potting mix dust by following the manufacturers'
warnings on potting mix labels when gardening, including:
Wet down the potting mix to reduce the dust
Wear gloves and a mask (if possible a P2/N95 mask) when
using potting mix
Wash your hands after handling potting mix or soil, and
before eating, drinking or smoking.
How is it diagnosed?
If you are diagnosed with pneumonia, tell your doctor if
you have been to an outbreak location OR handled potting mix recently.
It is often difficult to distinguish Legionnaires' disease from other types of pneumonia by symptoms alone. Chest X-rays help diagnose pneumonia but the diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease requires special tests.
Urine, sputum and blood samples can help confirm the diagnosis. Blood samples need to be taken three to six weeks apart to check on antibodies in the blood.
How is it treated?
Legionnaires' disease can usually be cured by treatment with antibiotics. For serious infections, patients may need to be cared for in an intensive care unit and have their breathing assisted using a ventilator.
Legionnaires' disease is not spread from person to
person.
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Wow! I did not realise there was this risk. Thank you for the information.
ReplyDeletejabblog; it's become one of the forgotten diseases, so I decided to post about it.
DeleteLegionnaires' disease and potting compost - I would have never guessed there might be a connection so thanks River.
ReplyDeleteYorkshire Pudding; we get warnings now and again to wear a mask when handling potting mixes, but not many people know why.
DeleteWhile I know about the dangers, I am not aware of any reported cases. Yep, damp the potting mix down and wear gloves and perhaps a mask. Err on the side of caution.
ReplyDeleteAndrew; with my asthma, I wear a mask but find working with gloves on a bit uncomfortable, so I start with gloves on and usually take them off once my hands get sweaty.
DeleteI've never heard of this! Is it just bagged mulch/soil, or ALL soil? Maybe the bag incubates it?
ReplyDeleteSteve Reed; It's bagged mixes and mulches usually, more especially when they are dried out and breathing in the dust is the danger, so the advice is to wear a mask and always damp down the mix before handling it.
DeleteThat's a new one! I had no idea. Glad I don't have a green thumb and don't associate with potting soil.
ReplyDeleteVal; I didn't think you would be at risk since you don't garden, but Kathy, with her gardening and symptoms is what sent me searching for this.
DeleteThis is news! Thank you for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteLinda Sue; you are very welcome. Stay safe. Although you don't garden much I think.
DeleteIf i do end up doing garden work for anyone, i'll take precautions. Thank you!
ReplyDeletemessymimi; good idea to take precautions, even when repotting older plants.
DeleteThis sounds like from last century! Thank you. Once my arm is back to normal and the weather is better I plan to plant and will listen to you!
ReplyDeleteHeck. who ever knew? Crazy.
Iris; the information has been around since last century! Always wear a mask and make sure the potting mix is damp when using it.
DeleteI didn't know about the soil. I heard it spread though an hotel duct system.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe.
Dora; it can spread that way too, hotels should have their systems checked at least once a year.
DeleteWell isn't this special? I'm never coming out of my basement again!
ReplyDeleteMike; is your basement dry and airy? Do you pot up plants in there? Be safe.
Delete