Dangerous Bacteria Thrives in Showerheads
What They are and How You can Minimize Your Risk Exposure
Sep 29, 2009
Showers are a great modern innovation. They are quick, effective, and depending on the amount of water one uses and time spent in the shower, they can be a prophylactic and an environmentally friendly activity. Unfortunately, it turns out that showerheads are havens for harmful bacteria.
Feazel and her team investigated the microbial component of 45 showerheads distributed throughout the United States. The biofilms - complex masses of microorganisms were found prospering in the showerheads. They thrive here because it is dark, moist, warm, and have plenty of nourishment or substrate.
The researchers found a varied and complex assembly of pathogens including Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) . MAC bacteria are a group of genetically related microorganisms belonging to the genus Mycobacterium. It includes Mycobacterium avium avium (MAA), Mycobacterium avium hominis (MAH) - the most common mycobacterium harmful to humans, and Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP). MAC bacteria are common in the environment and cause infection when inhaled or swallowed. They are water-loving and If they are present in the showerhead, they enter the air when mist is produced and the bacteria are suspended in water droplets.
Symptoms of MAC Infection includes:
- coughs
- fever
- drenching sweats
- diarrhea, weight loss
- anemia
- neutropenia (low levels of white blood cells)
- elevated liver function test
- liver may also be enlarged
- some skin lesion may be present, and
- pneumonia may also be evident.
Who's at Risk?
People with weakened immune systems including persons with HIV, AIDS, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, the very ill, and pregnant women are vulnerable to MAC infection.
Treatment of MAC Disease
MAC infection is treated with antibiotics. If you have MAC, your physician will prescribe the appropriate medication.
What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risks
Obviously, not taking showers is not an option for many people. But there are a few practical steps you can take to minimize your risks. They are listed below.
- Stand back and let the water run off for a few minutes at the hottest level - above 130 degreesF (72 degrees C), then turn the water to a tolerable level to take the shower.
- If possible, open the window while you shower, it will help disperse the mist
- Use a metal showerhead instead of plastic as metal showerheads appear to be less favorable to bacterial growth than plastic.
- Buy a cheap showerhead and change it at least twice a year.
- Use a hand shower instead of a fixed overhead shower. No studies have been made supporting this benefit.
- Take a "tub" bath instead of a shower once in a while.
- Do not use bleach. Mycobacterium are "chlorine-resistant."
References
Feazel LM et al. "Opportunistic pathogens enriched in showerhead biofilms" roceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 14, 2009 Published Online Ahead of Print
Tartaglione Teresa "Treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterium infections: role of clarithromycin and azithromycin" Clinical Therapeutics July-August 1997;19(4):626-638
"Mycobacterium avium Complex" Aids Educational Training Centers Website July 2007
"Study:Shower Heads Dirty" CBC News September 15, 2009
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