Why are Legionella so dangerous?
Legionella are only dangerous if inhaled, not if swallowed. If droplets containing Legionella are inhaled when taking a shower, this can cause legionellosis (also known as Legionnaires’ disease). The disease develops after 2-10 days and the symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia. Without immediate treatment, it is fatal in 10-15% of cases. According to estimates from health authorities, up to 20,000 people in Europe die of legionellosis each year.
