Symptoms of Legionella
The first thing people think of when they're told they have legionella in their home is horrible pneumonia. While this is true, several other symptoms plague those who contract legionella. It can be difficult to spot symptoms when this disease strikes, especially in the early stages. But let's look at some potential signs that you might be experiencing legionella. The severity of your symptoms comes down to what strain of the bacteria you have contracted and how much fluid your lungs have been exposed to.
This article will cover all the potential symptoms of legionella and some prevention tips that you can use to reduce your chances of infection.
Cause of Legionella:
Legionellosis is a respiratory infection caused by Legionella bacteria, and it mostly attacks weakened immune systems like those with COPD or HIV.
The disease is caused by inhaling aerosolized water droplets containing the pathogen. The most common way to catch Legionnaires' disease is through exposure to contaminated faucets or shower heads in an office building or other similar setting. In addition to this, it can also be found in lakes and streams throughout the world.
It is also commonly found in the air and surfaces, such as hot tubs, showerheads, and shower curtains. In some cases, legionella can cause a severe acute illness with high fever and muscle aches; however, most people who get Legionnaires' disease do not have symptoms.
History of Legionella:
Legionella is a Gram-negative bacterium that can cause pneumonia and other diseases. It is often found in warm water sources, such as hot tubs and air conditioning units. The bacteria thrive at low oxygen levels, which allows them to grow without being killed by disinfectants. The history of legionella is a long and complicated one.
Legionella bacteria are a pathogen that can cause severe human diseases, including pneumonia and bronchiolitis. They are found in water, air, and soil but do not survive well outside their hosts.
Legionella has always been around—it was first discovered by scientists in 1976. But it wasn't until the late 1990s that researchers discovered the cause for its presence: human-made cooling towers that had been contaminated with legionella. This led to an increase in diagnoses and deaths from Legionnaires' disease.
In 1998, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first identified the source of these outbreaks as being man-made cooling towers (MWCT). It took another decade for governments worldwide to recognize this link and work on solutions to prevent future outbreaks.
Symptoms of Legionella:
If you've been exposed to legionella, you may experience symptoms such as:
Fever and Chills:
Fever and chills are two common symptoms of legionella. It is defined as a body temperature over 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Chills are a feeling that your body is too cold.
Shortness of Breath:
Shortness of breath (SOB) is another common symptom affecting the patient. It can range from mild to severe.
Muscle Aches:
Muscle aches are a type of pain that comes from the muscles. They're not just annoying—they can also cause pain and injury.
Loss of Appetite:
Loss of appetite is the desire to eat less or not at all. It's usually linked with other symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, and headaches.
Nausea or Vomiting:
Nausea and vomiting are two different types of sensations that can occur when you are attacked by legionella. Nausea is a feeling of distress accompanied by sweating, lightheadedness, and sometimes diarrhea. Vomiting is making up for food you have eaten to rid your body of it.
Diarrhea:
Diarrhea is a common symptom of legionella in which you have loose or watery diarrhea. The stool can be soft, watery, and sometimes bloody.
Lungs Infection:
Lung infection and wheezing is a common condition that affects many people. When you have legionella, you will face these two symptoms. Lung infection is an inflammation of the lung tissue, and wheezing is a symptom associated with lung infections. It occurs when air moves into your lungs and causes a whistling sound in your chest.
Prevention:
The best way to prevent getting this disease is to avoid exposure to legionella by avoiding touching contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs, faucets, and showerheads when entering a building or staying there for extended periods (especially during cold weather). People diagnosed with legionnaires' disease should also take antibiotics prescribed by their doctor until they recover.
Final Words:
If you feel tired, or have a fever, chills, cough, or headaches, search for "Legionnaire's Disease" as a possible cause. It can be cured with antibiotics; if caught early, it is not necessarily fatal.
We hope that was helpful to you. If you have more questions, please ask them in the comments below!
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