Today is one of the first full days of spring, which means the beginning of gardening season for many homeowners and gardening enthusiasts. However, what most gardeners do not know is that they could be exposing themselves to Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella bacteria, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease, lives in most organic material. This means that it can live in bags of potting soil, as well as the soil in the ground. In a previous case our office worked on, a bag of potting soil tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Our client used the contaminated potting soil and became very ill. This led to their hospitalization and diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease. This demonstrates the potential risk facing gardeners who are purchasing potting soil this spring. A person can become infected with Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling particles that contain the bacteria. This includes inhaling dust that contains the Legionella bacteria from soil while gardening. It is recommended that when using garden soil, gardeners should wear masks, work in a ventilated area, and wash their hands often. These simple steps can be lifesaving. If you are experiencing flu like symptoms such as fever, coughing, shortness of breath, or fatigue after gardening, it may be time to seek medical attention. For a 100% free consultation, contact Jules Zacher today. THE MATERIALS ON THIS WEBSITE HAVE BEEN PREPARED BY JULES ZACHER, P.C. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE NOT LEGAL ADVICE OR A SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL COUNSEL.