Legionella Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention
Legionella is a type of bacteria that can cause a severe lung infection called Legionnaires' disease, also known as Pontiac fever. Checking for legionella is important because sometimes it becomes very dangerous. Fortunately, there are some general signs and symptoms that you can look out for. If you or someone close to you is displaying any of these signs and symptoms, it's a good idea to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If you've just been infected with legionella and are wondering what the signs and symptoms are, this post is for you. You've come to the right place. You have many questions, and our team is here to answer them. Here's what you need to know about legionella symptoms.
What is Legionella Disease?
Legionella disease is a respiratory tract infection caused by a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila. This bacterium is present in soil and water but can also be found in other places, such as cooling towers, hot flues, air conditioning systems, and misting systems. The bacteria can cause various illnesses, including pneumonia and other respiratory issues.
History:
The first case of legionellosis was reported in 1976, but it wasn't until 1981 that it was characterized as an infectious disease. Legionnaires' disease (LD) is the most common and is typically caused by inhaling droplets containing L. pneumophila from contaminated water vaporized by humidifiers or faucets with drainage tubes. The mortality rate for LD ranges from 1% to 5%, although people who are sicker or have underlying conditions may have a higher risk of death.
The bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease is most commonly found in warm and humid environments such as cooling towers, hot tubs, whirlpool baths, ventilation systems, and other water-filled spaces. They grow best at temperatures between 77°F and 113°F.
Legionnaires' disease has become more common in recent years due to changes in air conditioning systems; these changes have led to increased cases of LD each year.
Symptoms of Legionella Disease:
If you have Legionnaires disease, you'll notice symptoms within 10 days of exposure to the bacteria. Here are the common symptoms of legionella:
Fever
Shortness of Breath
Chills
Cough
Muscle aches
Headache
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Lung infection, chest pain/pressure, or wheezing
If left untreated, the condition can lead to pneumonia and death if not treated quickly.
Legionella bacterium can cause other serious health problems, including endocarditis (a bacterial heart infection) and severe brain infections called meningitis.
In the early stages of infection, patients may have no symptoms at all; however, later on, they will experience flu-like symptoms, including cough, chills, and cough with sputum production. The symptoms can last up to 2 weeks.
How to Prevent Legionella?
Legionnaires' disease is not transmitted from person to person but rather from the aerosolized water droplets produced by infected people when they cough or sneeze. People can get legionella by inhaling droplets from a faucet or showerhead when the water is running.
If you would like to prevent legionella, it is best to have a written protocol for your building, including all the equipment and systems that may be affected. This will protect your tenants and reduce the risk to your building and all the occupants, workers, and customers.
To prevent legionella from spreading through your facility, you should ensure that all your water sources are adequately maintained and tested regularly to ensure they don't contain the bacteria. You should also prevent it from spreading when you're not around. For example:
Make sure you have adequate plumbing throughout your home and that it's well maintained
Keep showers short and infrequent (no more than 15 minutes)
Keep sinks full and clean
Do not use the same towel for washing hands as for drying off after showering.
Using a shower filter that removes microscopic particles from water
Don't use an air conditioner if you live in a high-risk area for legionella. If you live in an area with a high risk for legionella, ensure the system is adequately maintained by a licensed technician regularly.
Final Words
Legionella has a wide range of symptoms, some more serious than others. If a person exhibits these symptoms, it is time to start worrying about legionella. The different symptoms must be adequately identified and diagnosed as quickly as possible.
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