Legionnaires Disease (Legionella Pneumonia)
Health Lav89 - Legionnaires Disease (Legionella Pneumonia). Legionnaire disease (Legionella pneumonia, Pontiac fever) is an acute respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Legionella Pneumophilia and other species of Legionella; which can cause a series of illnesses, ranging from mild cough and fever to pneumonia.
This disease accounts for 1-8% of all cases of pneumonia and about 4% of hospital-acquired heavy pneumonia. The disease tends to occur in late summer and early fall.
Causes of Legionnaire
The cause is the bacteria Legionella Pneumophilla and other species of Legionella. These bacteria are found in the water drainage system and can survive in warm and humid air conditioning systems in office buildings, including hospitals. Therefore, if these organisms spread through the air conditioning system in hotels or hospitals, then there could be a large epidemic.
Starting from the onset of symptoms, things will get worse in the first 4-6 days, and 4-5 days later begin to improve. Most infections attack middle-aged or elderly, though they can also illuminate children. In children, the disease is usually not too heavy.
Risk factors for Legionnaire disease:
This disease accounts for 1-8% of all cases of pneumonia and about 4% of hospital-acquired heavy pneumonia. The disease tends to occur in late summer and early fall.
Causes of Legionnaire
The cause is the bacteria Legionella Pneumophilla and other species of Legionella. These bacteria are found in the water drainage system and can survive in warm and humid air conditioning systems in office buildings, including hospitals. Therefore, if these organisms spread through the air conditioning system in hotels or hospitals, then there could be a large epidemic.
Starting from the onset of symptoms, things will get worse in the first 4-6 days, and 4-5 days later begin to improve. Most infections attack middle-aged or elderly, though they can also illuminate children. In children, the disease is usually not too heavy.
Risk factors for Legionnaire disease:
- Smoking
- Certain diseases (eg renal failure, cancer, diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Patients with immune system disorders due to chemotherapy, corticosteroids or disease (eg cancer and leukemia)
- Alcoholic
- Middle age or old age
