Legionnaires' Disease: Frequently Asked Questions
How is Legionnaires' disease treated?
The illness is treated with an antibiotic called erythromycin or a similar antibiotic.
Source: www.legionellacontrol.com
Many antibiotics are highly effective against Legionella bacteria. The two most potent classes of antibiotic are the macrolides (azithromycin), and the quinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gemifloxacin, trovofloxacin). Other agents that have been shown to be effective include tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole. Erythromycin, the former antibiotic of choice, has been replaced by more potent and less toxic antibiotics.
Source: www.kelcroft.com.hk
Early treatment reduces the severity and improves chances for recovery. The drugs of choice belong to a class of antibiotics called macrolides. They include azithromycin, erythromycin, and clarithromycin. In many instances physicians may prescribe antibiotics before determining that the illness is Legionnaires' disease because macrolides are effective in treating a number of types of pneumonia.
Source: www.osha.gov
Erythromycin and Azithromycin, antibiotics, have been effective, especially when cases are detected early.
Source: www.hcinfo.com
What is Legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia. It was named after an outbreak of severe pneumonia, which affected a meeting of the American Legion in 1976. It is an uncommon but serious disease. The illness occurs more frequently in men than women. It usually affects middle-aged or elderly people and it more commonly affects smokers or people with other chest problems. Legionnaires' disease is uncommon in younger people and is very uncommon under the age of 20 ... Legionnaires' disease
>>
Source: www.legionellacontrol.com
Legionnaires disease ( 退伍軍人病 ) is generally a severe pneumonia caused by a bacterium from the Legionella species. The name Legionella Pneumophila was identified from the first outbreak at the 1976 American Legion Convention in Philadelphia. The bacteria also causes a less severe illness named Pontiac Fever
Source: www.kelcroft.com.hk
Legionnaires' disease is an acute, respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Legionella . An outbreak of this disease in Philadelphia in 1976, largely among people attending a state convention of the American Legion, led to its name.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
Legionnaires' disease is a rare form of pneumonia. Early symptoms of the disease resemble those of severe flu, and include headache, fever, chills, muscle aches and pains and generally a dry cough, followed by shortness of breath. Other systems in the body can sometimes be affected resulting in diarrhoea, mental confusion and kidney failure.
Source: www.health.vic.gov.au
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by Legionella , a bacterium found primarily in warm water environments. Both the disease and the bacterium were discovered following an outbreak traced to a 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia. Pontiac fever, a flu-like illness, is also caused by Legionella organisms (legionellae), but is not as serious as Legionnaires' disease. Most people who get Pontiac fever recover within five days, without having to be hospitalized.
Source: www.hcinfo.com
What are the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease?
The incubation period of Legionnaires' disease is from two to ten days; this is the time it takes before symptoms of the illness appear after being exposed to the bacteria. For several days, the patient may feel tired and weak. Most patients who are admitted to the hospital develop high fever often greater than 39.5°C (103°F). Cough can be the first sign of a lung infection. The cough may be sufficiently severe to cause sputum production (coughed up mucous). ...
Source: www.kelcroft.com.hk
Early symptoms of the illness are much like the flu. After a short time (in some cases a day or two), more severe pneumonia-like symptoms may appear. Not all individuals with Legionnaires' disease experience the same symptoms. Some may have only
flu-like symptoms, but to others the disease can be fatal. ...
Source: www.osha.gov
Legionnaires' disease develops within 2 to 10 days after exposure to legionellae. Initial symptoms may include loss of energy, headache, nausea, aching muscles, high fever (often exceeding 104°F), and chest pains. Later, many bodily systems as well as the mind may be affected. The disease eventually will cause death if the body’s high fever and antibodies cannot defeat it. Victims who survive may suffer permanent physical or mental impairment.
Source: www.hcinfo.com
How is Legionnaires' disease diagnosed?
Specialised laboratory tests are necessary and, unfortunately, may not be available in many hospitals. These include culture on specialized Legionella media. Culture media furnish nutrients for the bacterium. When sputum from the patients are placed onto the culture media, the bacterium grows on the medium and can be identified. Other tests include direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) in which the bacterium can be stained and becomes visible under a fluorescent microscope. ...
Source: www.kelcroft.com.hk
When was Legionnaires' Disease Discovered?
In June 1976 a mystery illness emerged, primarily amongst patrons of an American Legion Conference held at the Stanford Hotel, Philadelphia USA. More than two hundred (200) fell ill and thirty four (34) died. A puzzled medical community frantically searched for answers. Eventually, in 1977 the CDC (Atlanta, USA) announced that their research found a new bacteria that was responsible for causing the disease, it was named Legionella Pneumophila. ...
Source: www.kelcroft.com.hk
How is Legionnaires' disease spread?
There is no evidence for person-to-person spread of the disease. Most people contract Legionnaires' disease by inhaling mist that comes from a water source (e.g. showers, cooling towers, whirlpool baths) contaminated with Legionella bacteria. In some cases, the disease may be transmitted by aspirating contaminated water. Hot water distribution systems are commonly contaminated with Legionella .
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
Who gets Legionnaires' disease?
People of any age may get Legionnaires' disease, but the illness most often affects middle-aged and older people, particularly those who smoke cigarettes or who drink heavily. Also at risk are people whose immune system is suppressed by diseases such as cancer, kidney failure requiring dialysis, diabetes, AIDS, chronic lung disease, or heart failure. Those who take drugs that suppress the immune system such as prednisone, azathioprine, or cyclosporine are also at higher risk.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
Is Legionnaires' disease contagious?
Legionnaires' disease is not contagious. The disease is transmitted by breathing contaminated water droplets or aerosols, not by infected persons.
Source: apconsultantsuk.com
How common is Legionnaires' disease?
It is estimated that in the United States there are between 10,000 and 50,000 cases each year. Most of them sporadic cases not associate with outbreaks.
Source: www.osha.gov
What causes Legionnaires disease?
Legionnaires' disease most often is caused by inhaling water contaminated with
rod-shaped bacteria called
Legionella pneumophila. There are over 30 different species of
Legionella, many of which can cause disease. Legionella pneumophila is the most common species that causes disease.
Source: www.osha.gov
Where does Legionnaires' disease come from?
The bacterium which causes Legionnaires' disease is widespread in nature. It mainly lives in water, for example ponds, where it does not usually cause problems. Outbreaks occur from purpose-built water systems where temperatures are warm enough to encourage growth of the bacteria, e.g. in cooling towers, evaporative condensers and whirlpool spas (trade name Jaccuzi) and from water used for domestic purposes in buildings such as hotels. ...
Source: www.legionellacontrol.com
What measures are there to control Legionnaires' disease?
To prevent the occurrence of Legionnaires' disease, companies which operate these systems must comply with regulations requiring them to manage, maintain and treat them properly. Amongst other things, this means that the water must be treated and the system cleaned regularly ... Legionnaires' disease >>
Source: www.legionellacontrol.com
How do people get Legionnaires' disease?
The germ which causes Legionnaires’ disease is a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila. People catch Legionnaires' disease by inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air, which contain the Legionella bacterium. However, most people who are exposed to Legionella do not become ill. Legionnaires' disease does not spread from person to person ... Legionnaires' disease
>>
Source: www.legionellacontrol.com
What are the common risk factors for Legionnaires' disease?
The most common risk factor is heavy cigarette smoking. However, chronic lung disease is also common. The most intense risk factor is organ transplantation; the medicines used to protect the new organ also compromise the patient's defense system against infection. Patients who take corticosteroid medicines are also at high risk.
Source: www.kelcroft.com.hk
How common is Legionnaires' disease in the United States?
It is estimated that around 10,000 people develop Legionnaires' disease each year in the United States. An additional unknown number are infected with Legionella bacteria but have only a minor illness or no illness at all. The disease can occur in outbreaks or as single cases.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
Is there effective treatment for Legionnaires' disease?
The currently recommended drug of choice is erythromycin, which appears to be effective in treating the disease. Other drugs are available for patients unable to tolerate erythromycin.
Source: www.dshs.state.tx.us
What organism causes Legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires' disease is caused by bacteria that belong to the family Legionellaceae. This family now includes 48 species and over 70 serogroups. Approximately half of these species have been implicated in human disease. Legionella pneumophila is responsible for approximately 90% of infections. Most cases are caused by L. pneumophila, serogroup 1. Legionella species are small (0.3 to 0.9 ¼m in width and approximately 2 ¼m in length).
Source: apconsultantsuk.com
How does a person get Legionnaires' disease?
A person must be exposed to water contaminated with LDB. This exposure may happen by inhaling aerosolized LDB or drinking water contaminated with LDB. Aspiration may occur when choking or spontaneously during the drinking, ingesting, swallowing process and allows oral fluids or particles to by-pass natural gag relaxes and enter into the respiratory tract and lungs instead of the esophagus and stomach.
Source: www.osha.gov
Can Legionnaires' disease be prevented?
Yes. Avoiding water conditions that allow the organism to grow to high levels is the best means of prevention. Specific preventive steps include: Regularly maintain and clean cooling towers and evaporative condensers to prevent growth of LDB. This should include
twice-yearly cleaning and periodic use of chlorine or other effective biocide. Maintain domestic water heaters at 60°C (140°F). The temperature of the water should be 50°C (122°F) or higher at the faucet. Avoid conditions that allow water to stagnate. ...
Source: www.osha.gov
Is Legionnaires' disease easy to diagnose?
The pneumonia caused by LDB is not easy to distinguish from other forms of pneumonia. A number of diagnostic tests allow a physician to identify the disease. These tests can be performed on a sample of sputum, lung tissue collected by biopsy, blood, or urine.
Source: www.osha.gov
Is there any risk of legionnaires disease?
There has never been a recorded case of an XE1500 causing an outbreak of legionnaires disease. However there are some basic precautions that you should take. You are here:- home > cooling index > evaporative cooling index > evaporative fan index > XE1500 evaporative cooling fan > XE1500 evaporative cooling fan faq If you found this page useful, please take a moment to tell a friend or colleague about it. Copyright © 2004/6, W. Tombling Ltd.
Source: www.tombling.com
