Everything you should know about : Legionnaires' Disease

 

Legionnaires' disease is usually described as it is the severe form of pneumonia, which is lung inflammation, caused by infection. This infection is caused by a bacterium called legionella.

Some people will catch Legionnaires' disease by inhaling the bacteria through water or soil. People like older adults, smokers and people with weakened immune systems are mainly affected by  Legionnaires' disease.

And also, the legionella bacteria causes Pontiac fever which is a mild illness that usually resembles the flu. Pontiac fever will clear on its own but if you cannot take proper treatment for Legionnaires' disease, it can be fatal.And also immediate treatment with the help of antibiotics  usually causes Legionnaires' disease, Most of the people will continue to face problems after treatment.

Symptoms

After 2 to 10 days of the exposure to legionella bacteria which usually develops Legionnaires' disease. It most often begins with the following symptoms:

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• Mostly fever that may be 104 F (40 C) or higher

After the exposure of second or third day, you will have other signs and symptoms which includes:

• Continuous Cough, which usually bring up mucus and sometimes it also brings blood

• Shortness of breath or 

• Continuous Chest pain

• Gastrointestinal symptoms,like sudden nausea, often vomiting and severe diarrhea

• More of confusion or other mental health changes

Legionnaires' disease affects the lungs in the infected person but it rarely affects infections in wounded areas and also other parts of the body including the heart.

A milder form of Legionnaires' disease is called pontiac fever which produces fever,chills, headache and muscle spasms. Usually Pontiac fever does not affect your lungs and symptoms of this fever will clear within 2 to 5 days.

Causes

In most cases, the responsible for Legionnaires' disease is the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. Particularly in outdoor areas, legionella bacteria usually lives in soil or water but it rarely affects the people. Legionella bacteria will usually spread by the bacteria will multiply in water systems or home cooling devices, especially made by humans like air conditioners.

Most of the time, It’s possible to have Legionnaires' disease through home plumbing. Most outbreaks will happen in large buildings especially in complex systems which allows the bacteria to grow faster and spread more easily. Most importantly, home and car air conditioning units do not use water for cooling.

How does the infection spread?

People mostly affected while they intake or inhaling the microscopic water droplets that are contaminated like legionella bacteria. This bacteria might be from the shower, faucet or whirlpool or water from the ventilation system in large buildings. Outbreaks mostly linked to

• Hot tubs and whirlpools

• Cooling towers in air conditioning systems

• Hot water tanks and heaters

• Decorative fountains

• Swimming pools

• Birthing pools

• Drinking water

Other than inhaling the bacteria from water droplets, the infection can also be transmitted in other forms, including :

• Aspiration.  This usually occurs when liquids enter your lungs, usually by coughing or choking while drinking. If you intake contaminated water which contains legionella bacteria, eventually you can develop Legionnaires' disease.

• Soil.  People who contracted Legionnaires' disease after involving in garden works or using infected potting soil.

Risk factors

Not all people who are exposed to legionella bacteria become sick. You have more chances to develop the infection if you:

• Smoke. Smoking usually damages the lungs, which makes you more susceptible to all types of lung infections.

• Have a weakened immune system. This can be people using medications like HIV/AIDS or certain medications especially corticosteroids and drugs taken for preventing the organ rejection after transplant.

• Affected by lung disease or other serious conditions.  Serious diseases like emphysema, diabetes, kidney disease or cancer.

• Older adults of  50 years of age or older.

Legionnaires' disease will be very serious infections in hospitals and nursing homes.In hospitals where the germs can grow fastly and spread easily and fastly so that people in hospitals are more likely to get infection.

If I have Legionnaires’ disease, what can I expect?

Legionnaires’ disease will make you very sick and you will naturally be treated in hospital. Luckily, it can be treated with antibiotics.

After you return from the hospital, you still need to take medications to make sure the infection flush out completely.

After several months, you still have :

• Fatigue.

• Problems with balancing or coordination.

• Trouble in walking.

• Slurred speaking.

• Muscle aches or spasms.

You must consult your healthcare provider if you are concern with the ongoing symptoms

Complications

Legionnaires' disease usually lead to number of life threatening problems, including: 

• Respiratory failure. This will happen when the lungs can’t provide enough oxygen or inability to remove enough carbon dioxide from the blood.

• Septic shock. This will occur when a severe or having sudden drop in your blood pressure which reduces flow of blood to important organs like particularly to the kidneys and brain.Then the heart tries to compensate for the drop in their blood pressure level  by increasing the workload to pump blood, but this extra workload will eventually weaken the heart and reduce blood flow even further.

• Acute kidney failure. This will happen by the sudden loss of ability to filter waste from your blood. Dangerous levels of fluids and wastes will accumulate in your body.

When not treated immediately, Legionnaires' disease leads to death.

To diagnose this condition

Below are the some test  and imaging test to look for the signs of Legionella bacteriaThese include:

• Urine or sputum tests: You will pee in a plastic cup or cough and spit in a tube for sputum test. This will be tested for signs of Legionella.

• Blood tests: Your doctor will take blood from your arm with a needle. Your doctor uses this test to look for signs of Legionella in your blood. Doctors can also use this blood test to understand how well your organs are working.

• Imagining (chest X-ray or CT scan):  This will take a picture of your lungs. Doctors use these images to look for any changes in lungs like pneumonia.

• Bronchoscopy: Doctors use a thin, lighted tube to look inside of your lungs. Using this test, they take samples to be tested for signs of Legionella.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the first signs of Legionnaires disease?

The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are similar to the symptoms of the flu:

high temperature, feverishness and chills,cough,muscle pains,headache and leading on to pneumonia, very occasionally,diarrhoea and signs of mental confusion.

Q2. How do people get Legionnaires disease?

Ans: People can get Legionnaires' disease or Pontiac fever when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contain the bacteria.

Q3. Where is Legionella commonly found?

Ans: Legionella exist naturally in water and moist soil. They have been found in creeks and ponds, hot and cold water taps, hot water tanks, etc..

Q4. How can I test for Legionella at home?

Ans: How do I test for Legionella in my home? You can order a Legionella water testing kit online, use it to sample your water, then send it off to the lab for analysis. Results usually take 14 days.

Q5. Can Legionella grow in cold water?

Ans: Legionella are widespread in the environment in water and may grow in hot and cold water systems.