How can I get infected and end up in the ICU while driving?

Netizens who follow current affairs news every day, I wonder if you have noticed this piece of news about driving infection: A 42-year-old man named Liu from Hunan, due to the frequent rains during this period, was unable to go out, so he left his car at home for more than two months without moving, and as a result, mold had grown inside the car. . .

With great difficulty, Mr. Liu took advantage of the clear weather and drove his moldy car back to his rural hometown. Unexpectedly, two days later, Mr. Liu developed symptoms such as muscle pain and headache, as well as a high fever and difficulty breathing. Finally, he was diagnosed with pneumonia-induced acute multiple organ failure and was sent to the intensive care unit. . . . . .

When I first read this news, I felt that it was really too scary. A car that had not been driven for a long time and was covered with mold could actually cause the driver to be infected. The final diagnosis was Legionnaires' pneumonia secondary to acute multiple organ failure and he had to go to the ICU. At this point, everyone must be wondering what this so-called "Legionnaires' bacteria" is? What are the potential dangers in our daily lives that are easily overlooked? Don't worry, I will tell you one by one!

First of all, what is Legionella? The bacteria that caused the car owner to be infected and sent to the ICU is called Legionella. Many people may be curious, why does it have such a strange name?

Legionella is a type of opportunistic pathogen that is widely present in nature. More than 30 species of Gram-negative Legionella have been discovered, many of which can cause human infection. The most common one is Legionella pneumophila, which can easily cause symptoms of atypical pneumonia. If not treated in time, the mortality rate is not low.

The reason why it is called Legionella is that this epidemic broke out at a veterans convention held in Philadelphia, USA in 1976. At that time, it was commemorating the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, this epidemic occurred, causing 221 people to become ill and 34 people to die, so it was named Legionella.

Epidemiological surveys have found that Legionella is very common among drivers[1]. The possible cause is believed to be the wiper water tank of our car. This is because in many cases, our wiper water tank is not frequently refilled. Instead, it is refilled once and then stored for a long time, which results in bacteria easily growing in the water tank.

In addition, in order to save time or money, many people simply add tap water directly to the water tank[2] instead of glass water containing a lot of surfactants. This makes it easier for bacteria to multiply. After all, surfactants are more or less harmful to bacteria.

However, it was also bad luck for the car owner, because Legionella is actually widely distributed, but it will only cause respiratory infection after a large amount of atomization and inhalation. In addition, factors such as weak body, lung disease, and older age are also risk factors for Legionella infection.

Secondly, what are the potential dangers in our daily lives that are easily overlooked by us?

1. Legionella can easily spread in warm water and hot and humid places. Therefore, showers, hot spring pools, fountains and air conditioning equipment can easily become a "hotbed" for the proliferation of Legionella.

2. This case also reminds us that it is best to ventilate a space that has been closed and unused for a long time before entering it.

3. In addition, it is particularly worth noting that if the air conditioner has not been used for a long time, you should pay attention to the problem of bacterial growth.

It’s summer now, and many people in the north are starting to turn on their air conditioners. After perhaps half a year of not using their air conditioners, they need to be especially careful. . .

Finally, some inadvertent small details or bad habits in life may cause great harm to the body. Therefore, ventilate the room more, exercise more, eat healthily, develop good living and hygienic habits, improve your immunity and antiviral ability, and have a healthy body, which is the fundamental!

1 Polat, Yusuf, et al. "Investigation of Legionella pneumophila seropositivity in the professional long distance drivers as a risky occupation." Mikrobiyoloji bulteni41.2 (2007): 211-217.

2 Jurčev-Savičević, Anamarija, et al. "Bus water storage tank as a reservoir of Legionella pneumophila." Collegium antropologicum38.3 (2014): 1033-1037.