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Legionellosis is just a bacterial disease which can cause pneumonia. Most cases occur as single isolated events. Episodes are relatively rare.
How come it called legionellosis?
An episode of this condition in Philadelphia in 1976, generally among people attending a situation convention of the American Legion, led to the name "Legionnaires' Disease." Subsequently, the bacterium inducing the illness was named Legionella pneumophila and the title of the illness was changed to legionellosis.
Is this a brand new condition?
No. The bacterium was initially identified in 1976, but earlier cases have now been proved as far back as 1947.
How widespread is legionellosis?
It is estimated that about 25,000 people build legionellosis in the Usa each year. Yet another 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 the summer but cases occur all year round.
How severe could be the illness?
Legionellosis can be described as a mild respiratory infection or it can be severe enough to cause death. From 10 to 40 percent of healthy adults have antibodies showing previous exposure to the patient, but merely a small percentage have a brief history of previous pneumonia.
Where are Legionella found?
Legionella exist normally in water and damp soil. They have been within streams and ponds, hot and cold water taps, hot water tanks, water in air conditioning cooling towers and evaporative condensers, and earth at excavation sites.
How is legionellosis spread?
The illness is apparently spread through the air from a earth or water source. All studies up to now demonstrate that person-to-person spread doesn't occur.
Who gets legionellosis?
Folks of any age can get legionellosis but the disease frequently affects seniors. People with underlying illnesses such as for example cancer or those with lowered immune system resistance to disease will also be at greater risk. It rarely does occur in otherwise healthy people.
What are the typical symptoms of legionellosis?
The first outward indications of legionellosis could be flu-like with muscle pains, frustration, tiredness and dry cough followed by high fever, chills and sporadically diarrhoea. Conditions typically achieve 102-105 degrees Fahrenheit and chest X-rays usually show pneumonia.
How quickly do signs occur/appear?
The incubation period for legionellosis ranges from two to 10 days, but is usually five to six days.
What is the treatment for legionellosis?
Antibiotics such as for instance erythromycin, levaquin or azithromycin seem to be effective in treating the condition.
How come legionellosis so difficult to diagnose?
Legionellosis usually causes symptoms similar to those due to other bacteria, including influenza virus and other kinds of bacterial pneumonia. In addition, the specific laboratory tests needed to confirm the diagnosis aren't always requested. The diagnosis is dependent upon very specific laboratory tests involving tradition of the patient's sputum or detecting the organism in urine. Routine laboratory tests will not determine the Legionella bacteria.
When does medical team investigate an incident of legionellosis?
Because sporadic cases are common and presently not preventable, they're usually examined simply to confirm the diagnosis and rule out an outbreak. If an episode occurs, an investigation to consider a environmental source is performed. legionella beheersplannen
