"As water passes through pipes in general and showerheads in particular, a thick biofilm builds up. Biofilm is a fancy word that scientists use to avoid saying gunk.... In essence, the bacteria poop a little indestructible condominium in your pipes, built of hard-to-break-down complex carbohydrates. But when the pressure is high enough, these species are let loose into the fine aerosol spray of water droplets pelting our hair and bodies and splashing up and into our noses and mouths. And in some regions, but not others, they increasingly seem to be making people sick."

MISSOULA - The bacteria Legionella was discovered lurking in the water at Saint Patrick Hospital, prompting the facility to do what it can to clean its water.

If you spot some mold growing on your shower curtain or door, you're surely grossed out enough to do something about it—and fast. But if you're like most people, you rarely stop to wonder about the bacteria in your shower that you can’t see.

Two Whitehall nursing home residents were hospitalized last month with respiratory infections caused by legionella bacteria. Legionella causes pneumonia-like symptoms and is most often spread when a person inhales contaminated water droplets from the air.

Three people who went to the gym recently contracted the disease, according to the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. The disease can result in a severe form of pneumonia. LA Fitness followed health department recommendations to decontaminate its hot tub and change out shower heads.

"Available evidence indicates the source of the Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease, is most likely within the building water system, though an exact source must still be determined," the health agency said.

Legionnaires’ Disease hit the headlines when an outbreak occurred at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Nine people who visited the theme park developed the disease.