Mycobacteria may be lurking in a regular shower head. These bacteria are dangerous to our he alth and even life. They cause, among others diseases of the lungs, lymph nodes and skin. They pose a particular threat to people with acquired or congenital immunodeficiency. Read how to fight them.

The superiority of the shower over the bathtub has long been convinced by doctors, environmentalists and beauty specialists. And each of them seems to be right. Long soaking in a bathtub full of water, especially hot water, weakens the heart, lowers immunity, dries out the skin, accelerating its aging, and of course it is uneconomical.

Bacteria causing lung disease

Meanwhile, a group of American scientists from the University of Colorado in Boulder, led by prof. Norman Pace, declares that showering can not only harm your he alth, but also lead to death! Scientists came to such an alarming conclusion after testing several hundred shower heads.

Well, the Mycobacterium avium pathogens (a group of mycobacteria), responsible for

, are deposited on the inside of these headphones.
  • lung diseases
  • diseases of the lymph nodes
  • diseases of the skin, subcutaneous tissues
  • peritonitis

And although they are not tuberculous pathogens, the symptoms they cause are similar to tuberculosis. It can be a dry, rather persistent cough, a feeling of chronic fatigue that does not go away even after a good night's sleep or vacation, malaise, short, interrupted breathing, low-grade fever.

The presence of the Mycobacterium avium bacteria in tap water is by itself nothing extraordinary or disturbing - assures prof. Pace. It happens often and can be considered normal. But the presence of these pathogens in the shower head poses a risk.

This is because they are present in small concentrations in water, while in the handset they form the so-called biofilms and their concentration in this place can be 100 times higher than the concentration in water! And in such a concentration, they can even bring death.

Pathogens from the shower head, splashing with water drops, go through the nose and mouth to the respiratory system, where they attack the lungs. They are especially dangerous for people with respiratory system failureand immune, for allergy sufferers and asthmatics, for the elderly.

Bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease

Taking a shower is not only a threat to Mycobacterium avium. Legionella pneumophila, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease, may be found in the tiny droplets of water that are splashed left and right and inhaled through the nose or mouth.

The symptoms of this disease may resemble tuberculosis or acute pneumonia, but may also suggest the flu. The onset is usually quite abrupt. Suddenly there is:

  • high fever
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • stomach pains
  • breathing faster

Then comes a dry cough, shortness of breath, chest pains. People already suffering from lung disease, kidneys or diabetes, smokers, and the elderly are exposed to the greatest risk.

The fight against Legionella bacteria is, just like in the case of Mycobacterium avium, primarily about regular cleaning of the shower and the entire shower cubicle. By the way, other water devices, such as whirlpools or humidifiers, can also harbor these germs. They also need cleaning.

How to protect yourself against bacteria present in the shower head?

Does this mean that from today the shower should be replaced with a bathtub and return to previous habits? No, the more so because the bathtub has disadvantages. To avoid Mycobacterium avium and Legionella pneumophila:

  • frequently, preferably once a week, thoroughly clean the shower head
  • direct the first stream of water downwards after unscrewing the shower, absolutely not on the face
  • replace the plastic shower head with a metal one, in which pathogens accumulate less willingly

Category:

Infectious diseases