The symptoms you should be looking out for over fears millions of Aussies could ... trends now
Experts have revealed the critical symptoms of legionnaires disease you should be looking out for after millions of Aussies were exposed to the illness over the holiday period.
Millions of people who visited Sydney's CBD over Christmas and New Year are being urged to monitor for symptoms of legionnaires' disease after seven people were diagnosed with the potentially deadly lung illness.
NSW Health issued a health alert on Wednesday for anyone who has visited the city centre since Christmas Eve, over the past 10 days, to stay alert for symptoms including coughing, fever, shortness of breath and headaches.
The seven people, four men and three women aged in their 20s to 70s, have been diagnosed with the debilitating lung disease and admitted to hospital.
They spent time at locations in Sydney's CBD between Bathurst St, Sussex St, Elizabeth St and Circular Quay 10 days before they experienced any symptoms.
Legionnaires disease can cause severe chest infections and pneumonia that can lead to death in severe cases, with health authorities now on high alert as fears grow it will continue to spread.
As a growing number of people are diagnosed with legionnaires' disease, experts have revealed the key symptoms you should be looking out for (pictured, Sydney on New Years)
Legionella (pictured) is a type of bacteria that typically thrives in large buildings - such as hotels and office blocks - where it grows in the water supply
What is legionnaires?
Legionella is a type of bacteria that typically thrives in large buildings - such as hotels and office blocks - where it grows in the water supply.
It is primarily a problem in warm climates, where the heat helps it reproduce.
Swimming pools and dirty air conditioning units are common contamination sites as they can accumulate warm, stagnant water that gets dispersed as droplets in the air, which are then inhaled.
But the bacteria, found naturally in freshwater, can also sit in showers and taps that have not been used for a few days.
This is why some experts urge holidaymakers to run taps and showers before having contact with the water.
What is the disease it causes?
The bacteria itself can cause an infection called legionnaires' disease.
