Some health workers at Health NZ public hospitals and services are planning to strike on Thursday 23 October to 7am on Friday 24 October.
Emergency departments will be open for emergencies only. For more information:
Some health workers at Health NZ public hospitals and services are planning to strike on Thursday 23 October to 7am on Friday 24 October.
Emergency departments will be open for emergencies only. For more information:
Legionnaires' disease is a chest infection (pneumonia) caused by the Legionella bacteria. People usually catch the disease by breathing in water droplets that contain the bacteria from sources like soil, compost, potting mix, or spa pools and water systems.
Symptoms include a 'flu-like' illness with:
You may have mental confusion and disorientation may develop. The illness worsens over several days.
Legionnaires' disease is not common in Aotearoa New Zealand. Most people’s natural immunity stops them from getting ill when exposed to the bacteria.
Anyone can get Legionnaires' disease. You may be more likely to catch it, and the effects may be more serious for you if you:
People catch legionnaires' disease by breathing in water droplets that contain 'Legionella' bacteria, or after inhaling dust from soil. The most common source of the bacteria is potting mix or compost. Other sources are piped hot water, air conditioners and spa pools.
Once in the lungs, the bacteria multiply and may cause disease. The infection is not contagious and cannot be caught from another person.
If you have any of these symptoms and have recently been handling potting mix or compost, see your usual doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible. Make sure you tell them that you have been in contact with these products.
Legionnaires' disease is diagnosed from a mucus or phlegm (sputum) sample. You may also have a blood test and a chest x-ray.
It is important to get early treatment early. Legionnaires' disease is treated with antibiotics.
To avoid getting Legionnaires' disease, be very careful when using potting mix, seed raising mix, compost or other soil products. It is very important that you do not inhale the dust from any of these products.
To keep yourself safe:
This content was written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. It has been adapted for Health Information and Services.