Legionnaires ' disease

Description

Legionnaires ' disease is a severe form of a lung infection called pneumonia. It is caused by a bacterium known as legionella.

The majority of people who get Legionnaires ' disease from breathing in bacteria from water or soil. Older adults, people with weakened immune systems and people who smoke have a higher risk of getting Legionnaires ' disease.

The bacterium legionella can also cause Pontiac fever, a mild illness, like the flu. Pontiac fever usually clear's for their own account. But this is not the Legionnaires ' disease can kill.

Immediate treatment with antibiotics more often cure the disease of the Legionaries. But some people still have problems after the treatment.

Symptoms

Legionnaires ' disease often begins 2-10 days after youtouch with the legionella bacteria. Often begins with the following symptoms:

  • The pain of a headache.
  • Muscle aches.
  • The fever, which may be of 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) or more.

By the second or third day, other symptoms may begin, including:

  • Cough, which may bring up mucus and sometimes blood.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Pain in the chest.
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
  • Confusion or other mental changes.

Legionnaires ' disease mostly consists of the lungs. But it can cause infections in wounds and in other parts of the body, including the heart.

A mild form of Legionnaires ' disease called Pontiac fever, can cause fever, chills, headache and muscle aches. Pontiac fever does not infect the lungs. The symptoms most often clear in less than a week.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you think you've been around the legionella bacteria. The diagnosis and treatment of Legionnaires ' disease as soon as possible can help to shorten the time it takes to recover and prevent serious complications. People at high risk, such as people who smoke or older adults,the need for immediate treatment.

Causes

The bacterium Legionella pneumophila, the cause of most cases of Legionnaires ' disease. Outdoor, legionella bacteria that live in the soil and the water. In the places in which bacteria rarely cause infections. But the legionella bacteria can grow in water systems man-made, such as air conditioners.

Although people can get Legionnaires ' disease at home, in the majority of cases have been in large buildings. That might be because the bacteria can grow and spread more easily in large systems. Also, the house and the car of the air conditioners do not use water for cooling.

How the infection is spread

Most people become infected when they breathe in small droplets of water that has the bacteria legionella. This could be from the spray of a shower, sink or bath tub. Or could it be water in the system that cools the large buildings.

Outbreaks have been linked to:

  • Hot tubs and whirlpool tubs.
  • Towers that contain water and a fan, called the cooling towers. Are used in air-conditioning and other systems in buildings.
  • Hot water tanks and heaters.
  • Sources.
  • Swimming pools.
  • Delivery of swimming pools.
  • Drinking-water systems.

The infection can be spread in other ways in addition to breathing in water droplets. The infection can be spread by:

  • Aspiration. This occurs when the liquid entering the lungs by accident, more often.n due to coughing or choking while drinking. The aspiration of water that has the legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaires ' disease.
  • Ground. A couple of people have contracted Legionnaires ' disease after working in a garden or on the use of potting soil that had bacteria in it.

Risk factors

Not everyone who comes in contact with the bacteria legionella is sick. People are more likely to contract the infection if you:

  • Smoke. Smoking damages the lungs. This makes the risk of getting all kinds of infections upper lung.
  • Have a weakened immune system. This may be a result of HIV/AIDS or certain medicines. This includes steroids and medicines that are taken after a transplant to keep the body from rejecting the organ.
  • Have ongoing call chronic disease, lung disease, or other serious illnesses. This includes emphysema, diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer.
  • Are 50 years old or more.

Legionnaires ' disease can be a problem in hospitals and nursing homes. Those are the places where germs are easily spread, and the people are not at high risk of infection.

Complications

Legionnaires ' disease can lead to serious complications, including:

  • Pulmonary insufficiency. This occurs when the lungs can't provide the body with sufficient oxygen or can't remove enough carbon dioxide from the blood.
  • The septic shock. This happens when a severe sudden drop in blood pressure reduces blood flow to vital organs, most often, the kidneys and the brain. As a result, the heart tries to pump with more force. But the extra work that the heart weakens and reduces the blood flow even more.
  • Acute Renal failure. This is of the kidneys will not be able to filter waste from the blood. Acute kidney failure occurs suddenly. When the kidneys fail, harmful levels of fluid and waste accumulate in the body.

When it is not treated in time, Legionnaire's disease can kill.

Prevention

Outbreaks of Legionnaires ' disease can be prevented by monitoring and cleaning of water systems.

Legionnaires ' disease

Diagnosis

Legionnaires ' disease is like the other types of pneumonia. To find the legionella bacteria quickly, a healthcare professional can use a test that checks the urine of the things that activate the immune system, called antigens. Other tests may include:

  • Blood tests.
  • X-ray of the chest. This does not show the type of infection. But you can show how much infection in the lungs.
  • Tests on a sample of mucus from the lungs, called sputum or lung tissue.

Treatment

Antibiotics for the treatment of Legionnaires ' disease. The sooner you start treatment, the lower the chance of getting serious complications. Often, a hospital stay is necessary. Pontiac fever goes away by itself without treatment and does not cause other problems.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your family health care provider. You can also see a doctor who specializes in the treatment of lung disease, called a pulmonologist, or a specialist in infectious diseases. Or you might need to receive emergency care.

What you can do

Make a list of:

  • Key facts about their disease, including its symptoms and when they began. Record your temperature.
  • Facts about himself that mof flights to be related. These include having been in a hospital, or recently having travelled recently and where you stayed.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, and other supplements that you take, including over-dose.
  • Questions to ask your provider.

A family member or friend along, if you can, to help gather all of the facts that you get.

The questions that you can ask your provider include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • What are other possible causes?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • I have other health conditionsof the ions. How this disease affects them?
  • Do I have to go to a hospital? If so, for how long?

Be sure to ask all the questions you have about your condition.

What to expect from your doctor

A member of the health team is likely to ask questions, including:

  • The symptoms been constant?
  • The symptoms got worse?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

To avoid making your condition worse, follow these tips:

  • Do not smoke or be around smoke.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Stay home from work or school, and the rest, as much as you can.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.

If they get sick more before you see a health care professional, to receive emergency care.

Symptoms and treatment of Legionnaires ' disease