Latest news with #lungInfection
The Sun
24-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Urgent warning over fatal lung disease spread through contaminated water in taps, showers, hosepipes and hot tubs
BRITS are being urged to take precautions against a potentially deadly lung infection that spreads more during the summer months. Legionnaires' disease is caused by bacteria found in water supplies that haven't been used much, such as taps, showers, hosepipes, and hot tubs. 4 4 4 'This is because warm, stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for Legionella bacteria,' Professor Franklin Joseph, a consultant physician, told Sun Health. 'And unfortunately, that's exactly what happens in summer," he added. He said: 'Air conditioning units, garden hoses, sprinkler systems, and even hotel showers that haven't been used for a while can all pose a risk when temperatures rise.' In the UK, there are around 300 to 500 reported cases each year, with about half linked to travel abroad, according to uRisk Safety Services, a water testing company. Last month, Donna Jobling, 57, was left in a coma, fighting for her life after catching the bug while on an all-inclusive holiday in Greece. The infection spreads when people breathe in tiny droplets of contaminated water. 'That could be from a misting fan, a spa pool, or an air-con system that hasn't been cleaned properly," Dr Frank, who is also head of Dr Frank's Clinic, said. It's often linked to hotels, gyms and even office buildings,' he added. You can't catch Legionnaires' disease by drinking infected water or from another person. Once the bacteria is inhaled, it can take up to 10 days for symptoms to appear, and they often resemble a bad case of flu at first. Dad-of-two placed into coma after Turkey holiday as chef, 55, 'caught rare disease from dirty 4-star hotel' After a couple of days, these symptoms progress to pneumonia, a dangerous lung infection. "The bacteria inflame the lungs, making it hard to breathe and get enough oxygen into the body," Dr Frank explained. "In vulnerable people. like the elderly, smokers or those with weak immune systems, it can trigger respiratory failure, sepsis and even death if not caught in time," he added. "Even healthy people can become dangerously ill if treatment is delayed.' In the US — which collects extensive data on Legionnaires' disease — over 95 per cent of diagnosed cases in 2014 and 2015 resulted in hospitalisation, according to the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC). And while the disease is treatable with antibiotics, about one in eight died from their infection, the health body said. The best way to prevent illness this summer is to keep water systems clean with regular flushing, especially after they've been unused for a while. "If you've been away, run taps and showers for a few minutes before using them," Dr Frank said. "Clean out air-con filters and garden hoses, and avoid using misting fans or hot tubs in places that look poorly maintained. "If something smells musty or 'off', trust your instincts and steer clear. "Prevention is always better than cure with Legionnaires."
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Crete hotel removed from sale over Legionnaires' disease fears
The Greek hotel where a holidaymaker who contracted Legionnaires' disease was staying has been temporarily removed from sale, the BBC Jobling, from Hull, caught the lung disease during an all-inclusive holiday in Crete and is in intensive family of the 57-year-old, who was travelling with easyJet Holidays, were being supported by the holiday operator."As soon as we were made aware of reports of illness, we contacted customers who were already staying in the hotel, or due to travel in the next four weeks, to provide alternative options," a spokesperson said. The hotel has not been officially named but it was understood officials were working with local health authorities on the it was not confirmed that the hotel was the source of the infection, easyJet said as a precaution customers were moved out and have been provided alternative hotel accommodation. Ms Jobling developed a chest infection on 5 June which triggered acute respiratory failure and was taken to an intensive care unit at Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion six days later according to her family. What is Legionnaires' disease? Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection transmitted by inhaling droplets of infected is not usually contracted by drinking contaminated water and people can become infected when taking a shower, flushing a toilet or from an air conditioning symptoms can be confused with influenza and, according to the NHS, include a cough, shortness of breath, chest pains and a high who catch Legionnaires' disease are treated with antibiotics. Most make a full recovery but it can take weeks for people to get back to normal. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
British holidaymaker in critical condition after catching Legionnaires' disease in Crete
A British tourist is in intensive care after catching a serious lung disease while on holiday in Greece. Donna Jobling from Hull was on an all-inclusive holiday on the Greek island of Crete when she fell ill on 6 June. Her condition continued to worsen over the next two days and she was admitted to hospital in Heraklion. The 57-year-old had caught Legionnaires' disease, a lung infection you can get after inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning or hot tubs. A doctor told Ms Jobling's husband, Sid, that her lungs were quickly shutting down, then she was put into an induced coma. She and her husband had been travelling with easyJet holidays. "We're so sorry to hear that Ms Jobling is unwell, and we're continuing to support her and her family in every way we can," a spokesperson for the holiday provider said. While it is not confirmed that the hotel is the source of the infection, as a precaution customers were moved out and have been provided alternative hotel accommodation. Those planning to stay in the hotel over the next four weeks have also been given alternative options. As well as moving other customers out of the hotel, easyJet Holidays said it has been in touch with customers who have recently returned home from the hotel. "Our customers' safety and wellbeing is our top priority, and we'll continue to do all we can to support them,' the spokesperson said. The hotel where Ms Jobling fell ill is currently working with local health authorities on the island. 'Donna has an abundance of loving family and friends who just want to get the chance to go over there to support her and Sid, who is currently there alone and has been for two weeks,' a GoFundMe fundraising page for Ms Jobling says. The fundraiser, organised by Ms Jobling's niece, has raised £510 out of an £1,200 target as of Monday morning. It added: 'We really don't know what the outcomes can be at this point, with very little good news from doctors. Anything will help at this hard time; we just need people there to support them.' Ms Jobling has been in the intensive care unit in critical condition since 11 June. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said it is supporting the family and is in contact with the local authorities. After Ms Jobling was hospitalised, the Greek health ministry issued a statement to hoteliers in Crete to "raise awareness among all those involved in monitoring the quality of water for human consumption especially with regard to Legionella". The disease is uncommon, but it can be very serious. It is unclear what caused the infection, but you can usually contract the illness by inhaling tiny droplets of water containing bacteria. The disease tends to be caught in places like hotels, as well as hospitals and offices, where bacteria have got into the water supply. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, a high temperature and flu-like symptoms. An emergency alert has also been issued on the island by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control following the diagnosis.
