0:00
An infected stranger coughs inches from
0:02
your face. You assume their
0:04
Legionnaires' disease can jump straight
0:06
into your lungs. But this infection
0:08
almost never spreads between people. It
0:10
usually strikes when contaminated water
0:12
mist carries Legionella deep into your
0:14
lungs. The bacteria invade immune cells
0:17
that try to destroy them. They multiply
0:19
inside those cells until severe
0:21
pneumonia develops. Showers, hot tubs,
0:24
fountains, and large plumbing systems
0:26
can release the infected mist.
0:28
Swallowing contaminated water becomes
0:30
dangerous if it slips into your lungs.
0:32
One probable person-to-person case has
0:34
been reported, but it remains extremely
0:36
rare. So fear the contaminated mist, not
0:39
ordinary contact with a patient. The
