Legionellosis (Legionnaires' Disease ): An Overview 294632426795
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Legionellosis is just a bacterial disease that might cause pneumonia. Most cases arise as single isolated events. Outbreaks are relatively rare.
How come it called legionellosis?
An episode with this condition in Philadelphia in 1976, mainly among people attending circumstances conference of the American Legion, resulted in the name "Legionnaires' Disease." Therefore, the bacterium inducing the illness was named Legionella pneumophila and the name of the illness was changed to legionellosis.
Is this a fresh illness?
No. The bacterium was identified in 1976, but earlier cases have already been confirmed as far straight back as 1947.
How prevalent is legionellosis?
It's believed that about 25,000 people create legionellosis in the Usa each year. Yet another David Makaio Advice] unknown number are afflicted with the Legionella bacterium and have mild symptoms or no infection at all. Cases occur occasionally and in outbreaks. Outbreaks occur usually in summer time but cases occur all year round.
How critical is the condition?
Legionellosis can be described as a mild respiratory illness or it can be severe enough to cause death. From 10 to 40 per cent of healthier adults have antibodies showing previous exposure to the organism, but merely a small proportion have a history of previous pneumonia.
Where are Legionella found?
Legionella occur naturally in water and damp soil. They've been found in creeks and ponds, hot and cold water taps, hot water tanks, water in air-con cooling towers and evaporative condensers, and earth at excavation sites.
How is legionellosis spread?
The illness is apparently spread through the air from the land or water source. All studies to date have shown that person-to-person spread doesn't happen.
Who gets legionellosis?
People of any age will get legionellosis but the disease frequently affects the elderly. People with underlying diseases such as cancer or those with decreased immune system resistance to infection may also be at greater risk. It seldom does occur in otherwise healthy people.
What're the typical outward indications of legionellosis?
The early apparent symptoms of legionellosis could be flu-like with muscle pains, frustration, fatigue and dry cough followed by high temperature, chills and occasionally diarrhea. Conditions normally achieve 102-105 degrees Fahrenheit and chest X-rays usually show pneumonia.
How soon do symptoms occur/appear?
The incubation period for legionellosis ranges from two to 10 days, but is normally five to six days.
What's the therapy for legionellosis?
Antibiotics such as erythromycin, levaquin or azithromycin seem to be effective in treating the condition.
Why is legionellosis so hard to diagnose?
Legionellosis often causes symptoms just like those due to other organisms, including influenza virus and other types of bacterial pneumonia. Additionally, the precise laboratory tests needed seriously to confirm the diagnosis aren't always required. The diagnosis is dependent upon very specialized laboratory tests involving culture of the patient's sputum or detecting the organism in urine. Routine laboratory tests won't recognize the Legionella bacteria.
When does medical team examine an instance of legionellosis?
Because sporadic cases are common and presently not preventable, they're usually investigated simply to confirm the diagnosis and eliminate an outbreak. If an outbreak occurs, a study to find a environmental source is conducted.
