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- There are more than 50 species of Legionella strains.
- The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are similar to those of the flu: fever, chills, cough, difficulty breathing, and sometimes other signs such as nausea and confusion.
It will be very hot and hot across France next week. Inevitably, the temptation to constantly increase air conditioning is strong. But beware, these devices are real germ nests. In addition, hot and cold heat shock has the effect of irritating the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and can lead to more or less serious respiratory infections.
fatal disease
Among them is Legionnaires’ disease. It is an acute lung infection caused by a bacteria called Legionella. This disease thrives in stagnant water. In most cases, Legionnaires’ disease is treated with antibiotics, which are usually given in the hospital for 14 to 21 days. If not treated, it can be fatal. It is therefore necessary to limit the use of appliances that run on standing water, as is the case with most air conditioners or whirlpool baths.
Take simple steps to reduce heat
Fans with a full throttle can also be counterproductive, an Australian study showed, because they can contribute to increased heat stress. If the air is dry, the fan can dry out the skin, irritate the eyes and nasal passages, and cause headaches and/or sinusitis.
So how do you cool off during a heat wave without putting your health at risk? By adopting simple but effective gestures: closing the shutters and pulling the blinds to reduce the introduction of heat into the habitat, reducing the use of household appliances during the day and covering windows with heat-resistant films.
