ALERT! Bacteria in Shower Heads Can Spread Bacterial Lung Infection

This is a serious health risk alert to all my Hometalk Friends about Dangerous Bacteria that Grow in Shower Heads and the Frequent, Rigorous Cleaning, Disinfection and Replacement Regiment that can help you Protect Yourself.
I found years of mounting Documented Evidence (2009-2014) in the literature (see attached headlines) that strains of Bacteria that breed and build-up in (and on) shower heads are causing serious types of lung infections in a number of different groups in our population - including healthy women in their 50's.
The evidence in these technical articles indicates that the number of these cases are increasing. I have provided the links to these articles, below, so that you can read about this serious issue and learn how to protect yourself.
Please at least watch the video on this webpage link:
www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_city/how-to-clean-the-bacteria-out-of-your-shower
Here are the At Risk groups according to Radiopedia.com :
A number of patient groups have been associated with increased risk of pulmonary Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC). They include: -elderly, white, thin women
-middle-aged or elderly males who are smokers or alcoholics
-immunocompromised patients e.g. AIDS -patients with cystic fibrosis
-patients with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency -other causes of bronchiectasis -chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) -pneumoconiose
Here is a brief summary of critical items I learned from the articles:
- The Bacteria strain Mycobacterium Avium builds-up a protective slime that protects it against chlorine bleach and some other typical disinfectants
- It grows inside and outside of Shower Heads over a matter of months in many cases
- It grows more readily in Plastic Shower Heads - so Metal Shower Heads are recommended
- The water pressure and force dislodges fragments of the bacteria so that it gets sprayed out of the shower head - onto you and the shower, etc.
- The spraying affect of the shower head atomizes the bacteria into tiny droplets that get inhaled while you shower - thus getting directly into your respiratory system
- In some cases this leads to infection; although many healthy people do not get infected
Recommended Cleaning, Disinfection, and Replacement:
Clean and Disinfect the Shower Head at least Monthly:
- Shower head should be disassembled to clean and disinfect the inside and outside
- Soak all parts in White Vinegar (not bleach) for at least 30 minutes; rinse and reassemble
Replace Shower Heads every 6-months
Here are the links to the displayed technical articles:
www.newsmaxhealth.com/Health-News/shower-head-bacteria-infection/2013/10/01/id/528726
www.newsworks.org/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&id=54911:main-line-doctors-search-for-cause-of-disease-striking-local-women
http://radiopaedia.org/articles/pulmonary-mycobacterium-avium-complex-infection
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/2009-09-14-showerhead-bacteria_N.htm
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2009/10/recent-study-points-to-showerheads-as-bacterial-breeding-ground/index.htm
Here is a link to learn about a spray-on anti-microbial and anti-fungal coating to treat the shower walls, glass, floor, fixtures and shower head to help prevent the growth of bacteria in your shower:
www.selfcleen.com/pages/showers
Stay Safe my friends!
Matthew