Worried about Legionaries disease from hot water cylinder

[tan235]

Hi All,
I've moved into a new house, I"m a bit paranoid about what temperature the hot water is set too. I tested it at the tap and it was 55 degrees, but it's a really old cylinder and apparently that means that it's about 55 at the cylinder. I"m getting someone to look today but apparently 55 degrees or 131 fahrenheit is not enough to truly kill legionaries and i've had a shower!!! I'm going to raise the temperature to today to 60degrees or 140... but has the damage been done, anyone else worry about this???

Im so paranoid, now I have to wait for 2-10 days for incubation period!!

[Fishmanpa]

I suppose you've had this fear before? All I know is it was a media generated frenzy in the 70's or 80's. :huh: The "Told Ya So Gang" is on standby :winks:

Positive thoughts

[tan235]

Yes I have been worried about this before ;) I look forward to seeing your gang of merry 'I told you so men,' I welcome them any day!
The plumber told me that I have to turn it up to 62 degrees now if i want to kill the bugs...

[KK77]

And I suppose your plumber is a part-time microbiologist who has studied a sample of the water from your hot water cylinder under his microscope and identified these beastly "bugs"? :lac:

[tan235]

No.. but I am!!! (NOT) - I just read that it can grow under 60 degrees. I don't know guys, is my OCD kicking in - should I not worry, I'm still going to turn the heating up.
x

[Fishmanpa]

No harm in turning the thermostat up but I don't think we'll be reading about you in the Daily News :winks:

Positive thoughts

[MyNameIsTerry]

I suspect he was giving general advice for hot water to kill any bacteria?

Legionaries is rare. We have outbreaks of it over here from time to time. If you looked at our Health & Safety Executives statistics on this you would see most outbreaks are group ones and down to things like air con in commercial settings. Anything in private dwellings or gardens if much lower.

I bet it's the same in the US.

I can't remember hearing of a case with a shower to be honest.

[tan235]

Thanks guys, well I'm in NZ and we had two cases from hot water cylinder's over here but they were older. I'm trying really hard to stop worrying ... but always nice to comment here... x Thanks all



---------- Post added at 01:39 ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 ----------

[/COLOR]sorry the people that had legionaries were older....

[BigPlay]

Hi tan235

I doubt you will have any issues - it's very rare in NZ (i'm in NZ too! Isn't it great not having to worry about Rabies!)

If you did get it (which you won't), it's treatable with antibiotics.

[tan235]

I've got a cough and a sore throat!!!! Is that legionaries? Going to Dr tomorrow.

---------- Post added 25-09-18 at 01:38 ---------- Previous post was 24-09-18 at 23:43 ----------

Plus my water heater is 20 years old!

[KK77]

I've got a cough and a sore throat!!!! Is that legionaries? Going to Dr tomorrow.

---------- Post added 25-09-18 at 01:38 ---------- Previous post was 24-09-18 at 23:43 ----------

Plus my water heater is 20 years old!

Don't be ridiculous, Tan. You know you're always getting the sniffles. And my hot water heater is even older than yours - means diddly poo :lac:

[tan235]

Hey guys - update, day 5 now past the shower incident. I actually think I have it but a mild form! Sore throat, cough, stomach ache and cramps.... all signs of it! I went to dr and he just said come back if symptoms get worse. I feel scared but I don’t think it will get worse right?! Still can’t being myself to shower - I just rub myself down with a hot towel - this one is really taking a hold!

[nomorepanic]

I have never hear of anyone getting it this way!

[MyNameIsTerry]

Those are very general symptoms, tan. How many times have we had all those in our lives?

[tan235]

Yeah I’m hoping I’m going loony!

[Fishmanpa]

"Told Ya So Gang" on standby :winks:

Positive thoughts

[tan235]

How do you stop the OCD?? I just had a shower and practically held my breath the whole time..... it's over taking me...

[BigPlay]

You turned up the heat right? You can relax now.