Diagnosis of Legionnaires Disease and its Complications
Diagnosis of Legionnaires Disease
Health Lav89 - Diagnosis of Legionnaires Disease and its Complications. Legionnaires disease causes symptoms similar to other types of pneumonia. Therefore, further diagnostic investigations are recommended.
If left untreated, Legionnaires disease can cause life-threatening complications such as:
1.Respiratory failure
In case of severe infection, the lungs do not function properly. Infected lungs cannot provide the body with enough oxygen or remove enough carbon dioxide from the blood. This causes respiratory failure.
2.Septic shock
If there is a sudden and a sudden drop in blood pressure due to a severe Legionella infection, vital organs such as the kidneys and the brain get less blood. The heart pumps more blood to keep up with the situation. These extra workloads weaken the heart and produce further reductions in the bloodstream.
3.Acute renal failure
The kidneys may suddenly lose their ability to filter waste from the blood. This increases the accumulation of liquids and wastes to dangerous levels.
4.Dead
In people with weakened immune systems due to some illness or drugs, Legionnaires disease can be fatal. Such cases require effective and rapid maintenance.
Treatment of Legionnaires Disease
Lighter forms of legionnaires disease are Pontiac fever, generally disappear by itself and require no medical treatment. Legionnaires disease that causes shortness of breath like anything, requires immediate treatment.
Health Lav89 - Diagnosis of Legionnaires Disease and its Complications. Legionnaires disease causes symptoms similar to other types of pneumonia. Therefore, further diagnostic investigations are recommended.
- Legionella infections are generally confirmed by determining the presence of Legionella antigens in urine samples.
- Blood tests can also confirm the presence of Legionella bacteria.
- Sputum cultures or pulmonary fluid cultures can detect Legionella infections. These tests are preferred over blood tests.
- An X-ray scan of the chest can help in determining the number of infections in the lungs.
- In the case of neurological symptoms, computed tomography (CT) brain scans are taken. The fluid extracted through the spinal tap (lumbar puncture) can also reveal the presence of bacteria in the brain.
If left untreated, Legionnaires disease can cause life-threatening complications such as:
1.Respiratory failure
In case of severe infection, the lungs do not function properly. Infected lungs cannot provide the body with enough oxygen or remove enough carbon dioxide from the blood. This causes respiratory failure.
2.Septic shock
If there is a sudden and a sudden drop in blood pressure due to a severe Legionella infection, vital organs such as the kidneys and the brain get less blood. The heart pumps more blood to keep up with the situation. These extra workloads weaken the heart and produce further reductions in the bloodstream.
3.Acute renal failure
The kidneys may suddenly lose their ability to filter waste from the blood. This increases the accumulation of liquids and wastes to dangerous levels.
4.Dead
In people with weakened immune systems due to some illness or drugs, Legionnaires disease can be fatal. Such cases require effective and rapid maintenance.
Treatment of Legionnaires Disease
Lighter forms of legionnaires disease are Pontiac fever, generally disappear by itself and require no medical treatment. Legionnaires disease that causes shortness of breath like anything, requires immediate treatment.
