Legionella Disease: Symptoms and Causes
Legionella disease is a bacterial disease that causes a severe form of pneumonia. In this article, we will tell you about the symptoms and causes of Legionella. Legionella bacteria have been discovered as a prevalent cause of community-acquired pneumonia and a rare cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia since their discovery in early 1977.
source: Medical News Today
History:
Legionella disease is a bacterial infection that causes symptoms similar to pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria. This bacteria was first discovered in 1976 when an American Legion convention in Philadelphia resulted in 221 people becoming ill with a mysterious respiratory illness. Of these, 34 died. The bacterium responsible for the outbreak was named Legionella pneumophila, and the disease was named Legionnaires’ disease after the convention.
Legionella bacteria can be found in water everywhere, but they do not spread through person-to-person contact; rather, they only cause illness when inhaled into the lungs as water vapor or mist. Outbreaks of legionella infection most often occur because of human-made systems, such as air conditioning systems, hot tubs, fountains, and showers. Hotels, hospitals, and nursing homes are common sites of outbreaks because these buildings have many pipes and faucets, increasing the chance that people will inhale contaminated water vapor or mist.
source: History
Legionella Symptoms:
Legionella symptoms are very similar to other respiratory infections. It’s important to go to the doctor if you notice these symptoms after being in an environment with legionella bacteria. Diagnosis can be hard in the early stages of legionnaires’ disease because the symptoms are so common. Legionnaires’ disease is more common in people who smoke or have chronic lung diseases like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
The most frequent symptom of Legionnaires' disease is pneumonia. Other symptoms include:
-Fatigue
-Muscle pain
-Loss of appetite
-Headache
-Diarrhea
-Nausea
-Fever, over 104 degrees Fahrenheit
However, it can cause mild or severe symptoms depending on exposure. In many cases, people with Legionnaires never show any symptoms at all. However, it is important to know what symptoms might be present because they could indicate something more serious inside your body.
Other conditions, such as pneumonia and milder forms of pneumonia-like illness known as Pontiac fever, can also be caused by legionella bacteria. Pontiac fever is believed to be caused by less serious strains of legionella bacteria. It produces similar symptoms with a shorter incubation period (about two days) but usually resolves on its own without treatment.
Legionella Causes:
You have been told that Legionella is a bacterium that causes Legionnaire's disease and Pontiac fever. The bacteria live in water and can grow quickly in warm, stagnant water. Warm temperatures are essential to the growth of this bacteria, and it cannot thrive at temperatures below 68F.
Legionella bacteria can be found in lakes and streams, but it is most often identified in human-made environments where conditions are right for growth. In particular, hot tubs, cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot water tanks, decorative fountains, industrial equipment (such as air scrubbers), humidifiers, and showerheads are common sources of infection.
The bacterium is commonly spread by inhaling contaminated droplets of water from the air or the aspiration of contaminated drinking water. It can also be contracted by exposure to soil contaminated with pet feces. Humans do not transmit legionella to one another and are capable of becoming infected only after contamination with the bacteria.
Risk Factors:
If you are over 50, a smoker, have cancer or have a chronic lung disease like emphysema or COPD, you may be at high risk for Legionella infections. If your immune system is also compromised due to HIV/AIDS or diabetes, you may also be at risk. In addition, if you are taking immunosuppressant drugs following an organ transplant or due to rheumatoid arthritis, you may be at increased risk of getting Legionnaires' disease. People who are at risk for Legionnaires' disease include.
People who are heavy smokers
who are over 50 years old
with chronic lung disease
Have weakened immune systems
People using medicine that weaken their immune systems (immunosuppressive drugs).
Conclusion
That's all for now. Here we are going to end this article. Legionella disease can be fatal if not treated. It would be best to remember that symptoms might not occur at all, so you won't know you're infected until it's too late. This is why it is important to take the right precautions before an outbreak or periodically inspect your plumbing system for pollutants or contaminated water sources.
Visit our website to read about the treatment of Legionella disease.