Legionnaire’s Disease : Symptoms and Treatments
Definition
A disease due to the bacteria
Legionella pneumophila found
in plumbing systems, shower heads and water-storage tanks. Outbreaks of
Legionella pneumonia have been attributed to air conditioning systems
and hot water tubs but cannot be transmitted from person to person. The
bacteria flourish at temperature between 90 and 105°C. People get
infected by inhaling water droplets or mist in the air that is
contaminated with the bacteria.
History
Legionnaire’s disease acquired its name in 1976 after an outbreak of
pneumonia occurred among people attending the American Legion convention
in Philadelphia. Later, the bacterium causing the illness was named
Legionella pneumophila.
Risk factors
Not everyone exposed to
Legionella bacteria becomes sick. People are more likely to acquire this infection if:
- Smoking damages the lungs, making you more susceptible to all types of lung infections
- Have a weakened immune system as a result of
HIV/AIDS or certain medications, especially corticosteroids and drugs
taken to prevent organ rejection after a transplant
- Have a chronic lung disease such as emphysema or another serious condition such as diabetes, kidney disease or cancer
- Aged if 50 years or older
Causes
- Hot water tubs
- Whirlpool spas
- Swimming pools
- Cooling systems or air-conditioning units for large buildings, such as hospitals public showers
- Humidifiers
- Fountains
- Natural bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and creeks
Symptoms
This disease can have symptoms like many other forms of pneumonia.
These symptoms usually begins 2 to 14 days after exposed to the
bacteria. Following are the symptoms accompany this disease:
- High fever
- Sinusitis
- cellulitis
- Head ache
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Persistent cough
- Muscle ache
- Chills
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
Diagnosis and Tests
- Chest X-Ray to show the extent of infection in lungs
- Blood and urine test for the presence of Legionella antigens
- Testing on sputum or lungs tissue for the presence of Legionella bacteria
- A CT scan of brain or a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) if an
individual have neurological symptoms such as confusion or trouble
concentrating
Treatment and Medication
There are classes of antibiotics which are effective in treating infections of
Legionella. They as follows:
- Fluoroquinolones: Levofloxacin (Levaquin), and moxifloxacin (Avelox)
- Macrolides: Erythromycin, azithromyocin (Zithromax), and clarithromycin (Biaxin)
- Tetracyclines: Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
The choice of antibiotic is often dependent on the patient’s clinical
state, tolerance to the medication, and a health care professional’s
degree of certainty as to the diagnosis. Zithromax and Levaquin are
particularly effective because of decreased gastrointestinal irritation,
higher potency, better penetration into tissue, and once-daily dosing.
Prevention and control
There’s no vaccine available for Legionnaires’ disease. However, it’s
possible to prevent the disease by properly sterilizing and cleaning
potential sources of the
Legionella bacteria. Preventive measures such as:
- Disinfecting and cleaning cooling towers
- Regularly draining and cleaning pools and hot tubs
- Using chemical treatments, such as chlorine, in pools and spas
- Keeping hot water systems above 140°F and cold water systems below 68°F
- Avoiding smoking can also lower the risk of infection
Definition
A disease due to the bacteria
Legionella pneumophila found
in plumbing systems, shower heads and water-storage tanks. Outbreaks of
Legionella pneumonia have been attributed to air conditioning systems
and hot water tubs but cannot be transmitted from person to person. The
bacteria flourish at temperature between 90 and 105°C. People get
infected by inhaling water droplets or mist in the air that is
contaminated with the bacteria.
History
Legionnaire’s disease acquired its name in 1976 after an outbreak of
pneumonia occurred among people attending the American Legion convention
in Philadelphia. Later, the bacterium causing the illness was named
Legionella pneumophila
Risk factors
Not everyone exposed to
Legionella bacteria becomes sick. People are more likely to acquire this infection if:
- Smoking damages the lungs, making you more susceptible to all types of lung infections
- Have a weakened immune system as a result of
HIV/AIDS or certain medications, especially corticosteroids and drugs
taken to prevent organ rejection after a transplant
- Have a chronic lung disease such as emphysema or another serious condition such as diabetes, kidney disease or cancer
- Aged if 50 years or older
Causes
- Hot water tubs
- Whirlpool spas
- Swimming pools
- Cooling systems or air-conditioning units for large buildings, such as hospitals public showers
- Humidifiers
- Fountains
- Natural bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and creeks
Symptoms
This disease can have symptoms like many other forms of pneumonia.
These symptoms usually begins 2 to 14 days after exposed to the
bacteria. Following are the symptoms accompany this disease:
- High fever
- Sinusitis
- cellulitis
- Head ache
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Persistent cough
- Muscle ache
- Chills
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
Diagnosis and Tests
- Chest X-Ray to show the extent of infection in lungs
- Blood and urine test for the presence of Legionella antigens
- Testing on sputum or lungs tissue for the presence of Legionella bacteria
- A CT scan of brain or a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) if an
individual have neurological symptoms such as confusion or trouble
concentrating
Treatment and Medication
There are classes of antibiotics which are effective in treating infections of
Legionella. They as follows:
- Fluoroquinolones: Levofloxacin (Levaquin), and moxifloxacin (Avelox)
- Macrolides: Erythromycin, azithromyocin (Zithromax), and clarithromycin (Biaxin)
- Tetracyclines: Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
The choice of antibiotic is often dependent on the patient’s clinical
state, tolerance to the medication, and a health care professional’s
degree of certainty as to the diagnosis. Zithromax and Levaquin are
particularly effective because of decreased gastrointestinal irritation,
higher potency, better penetration into tissue, and once-daily dosing.
Prevention and control
There’s no vaccine available for Legionnaires’ disease. However, it’s
possible to prevent the disease by properly sterilizing and cleaning
potential sources of the
Legionella bacteria. Preventive measures such as:
- Disinfecting and cleaning cooling towers
- Regularly draining and cleaning pools and hot tubs
- Using chemical treatments, such as chlorine, in pools and spas
- Keeping hot water systems above 140°F and cold water systems below 68°F
- Avoiding smoking can also lower the risk of infection
