Legionnaires: Cause, Effect, Treatment and Possible Death
Legionnaire’s disease is a lung infection, which is recognized as the top three or four microbial causes of community — acquired pneumonia. First discovered in 1976, at American Legion Convention in Philadelphia. Bacterium Legionella organism are found in natural aquatic bodies (rivers, lakes and streams), where water temperature is 104 to 122 degree Fahrenheit. The organic sediment found in this type of environment, provides the stimulate growth of Legionella bacterium. Presently there are more than 34 species of Legionnella. Inhaling airborne water droplets containing Legionellae, contracts this disease, especially from ventilation systems.
Also,Legionnaire’s can occur, when choking or spontaneously during drinking, ingesting or swallowing process. This allows oral fluids and particles to by-pass natural gag reflexes, and enter into the respiratory tract, and lungs instead of the esophagus stomach. The disease is not contagious. Symptoms include loss of energy, nausea, headache, aching muscles, high fever, and chest pains. These symptoms can occur within an incubation period of two to ten days, from any exposure to Legionnaire’s. If antibodies are unable to defeat the high fever, then death may occur.
According to Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10,000 to 15,000 persons in the United States have been infected with this disease, each year. However, Legionnaire’s is mostly under — diagnosed and under – reported, because similar symptoms are recognized, to other types of pneumonia. A study conducted in Ohio, concluded that only three percent of Legionnaire’s disease were correctly diagnosed. Urinary test can detect Legionnaire.
A small percentage of cases occur in relationship to outbreaks, which sometimes are reported in the news. When the bacteria Legionella is diagnosed, the source must be disinfected, are else the contamination will remain a viable source for further outbreaks, which can cause death. According to the CDC, death rate is 20 percent and 40 percent for cases acquired during a hospital stay (Nosocomial — hospital acquired infection). Long term side effects include, fatigue and lack of energy for several months. When patients are treated with antibiotics (including Erythromycin), in the early onset of Legionnaire’s, the prognosis for recovery is excellent. Those that are transplant recipients, smokers, elderly, kidney failures, or have immune deficiencies (HIV), are more likely to contract, have complications during recovering, and greater risk of death. Children that have been diagnosed with Legionnaire’s had previously spend time, in a neonatal intensive care unit. Also, three times as many males, compared to females effected, by Legionnaire’s. Contracting Legionnaires disease a second time is extremely rare.
Sources that can cause Legionnaire’s, mist machines, humidifiers, whirlpool spas, plumbing systems, hot water tanks, shower heads, and sometimes air conditioning systems. Preventive measure to disinfect those sources can prevent, the bacteria from growing. Hyperchlorination of the water supply eliminates any bacteria that can grow. When cleaning those locations, recommended using a full mask, to preventive the possible exposure breathing the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s. According to precedent, building owners, architects, engineers, construction managers, contractors and subcontractors and building suppliers can be held liable for contamination, that causes Legionnaires, could have been avoided.
In September 2005, Legionnaire’s disease has likely linked (according to health officials) to the deaths of 16 elderly people at Toronto, Canada nursing home. The probably cause of the bacteria is the ventilation system, at the Seven Oaks Home for the Aged. Seventy residents, thirteen employees, and five visitors, became ill, and had to be hospitalized.
