Chances are after arriving home from a holiday the last thing you will want to be doing is cleaning the shower.
However, a doctor who has spent nearly 30 years studying outbreaks has revealed this is exactly what you should be doing to avoid becoming ill from inhaling potentially lethal legionella bacteria.
Dr Tom Makin a Microbiologist from Cheshire, explained how he runs the shower for at least 20 minutes after returning from an annual summer holiday in order to prevent the bacteria from affecting himself and his family.
"I cover my nose and mouth with one hand and turn on the shower with the other. After 20 minutes or so, I’ll turn the shower off and then I won’t go back into the bathroom for at least another 20 minutes."
Legionella is a life-threatening water-borne bacterium which can be present in most environments where there are both natural and man-made water systems.
Earlier this month it was reported that a spa in Bournemouth was closed down due to an outbreak of the disease which affected 14 people in total. Further to this another outbreak was reported at apartments in London for the second time in just 3 months.
During the summer months, the risk of infection is much higher as the bug can thrive in stagnant water above 20C and below 45C inside showerheads, water butts, pipes, and even in your garden hose or sprinkler system.
Dr Makin says in regards to showers: ‘If you’ve not used the shower for more than three or four days, run it – with both hot and cold taps turned on gently – for 20 minutes. If you have a flexible hose, place the showerhead directly over the plughole - that way it doesn't generate airborne droplets. If not, shut the door behind you and don't go back in for at least 20 minutes, or until all the airborne water droplets have dispersed."
