FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions. |
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There are 9 entries in the FAQ.
Pages: 1
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| What is Legionnaires' disease? |
 | 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. |
| What are the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease? |
| 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. |
| How is Legionnaires' disease treated? |
| Erythromycin and Azithromycin, antibiotics, have been effective, especially when cases are detected early. |
| Who is at risk of contracting Legionnaires disease? |
| The risk of infection is based on two key factors: the number of legionellae reaching the body and the resistance of the individual. Young and healthy people can get Legionnaires’ disease, but persons who are immunocompromised either because of illness (e.g., cancer) or medical treatment (e.g., chemotherapy) are at a much higher risk because they can be infected by relatively low legionellae counts. HIV-infected patients, for example, have a 40-fold increased risk; organ transplant recipients have a 200-fold increased risk. Smokers, persons over 65 years of age, and heavy drinkers have a moderately higher risk.
Children have contracted Legionnaires' disease. Most cases have occurred in immunosuppressed children, but a number of immunocompetent children, particularly newborns, have acquired the disease, most often after surgeries, or through the use of legionellae-contaminated ventilators.
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| What is the death rate? |
| Underlying disease and advanced age not only increase the risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease but also the risk of dying from it, so it is not surprising that a CDC study of reported cases indicated a death rate of 40 percent for cases acquired during a hospital stay (nosocomial cases), but a death rate of 20 percent for community-acquired cases. Some outbreaks have claimed more than 50 percent. |
| What is the size of Legionella organisms? |
| The average Legionella cell is 0.5-1.0 micrometer wide and 1.0-3.0 micrometers long (Barbaree, J. M. "Controlling Legionella in Cooling Towers," ASHRAE Journal, June 1991; 38-42). |
| What are the long term side effects of Legionnaires disease? I heard asthma is one side effect. |
| As with any acute illness, patients who recover from Legionnaires' disease can suffer long term side effects. The most common are fatigue and lack of energy for several months. However, asthma of new onset is uncommon, although I know of a few cases who have persistent chest x-ray abnormalities with sustained wheezing. It is unclear as to whether this can be blamed solely on Legionnaires' disease; asthma may be due to a number of stresses besides Legionnaires' disease. Answer provided by Victor L. Yu, MD, Professor of Medicine, Unviersity of Pittsburgh; Chief, Infectious Disease Section, VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. |
| What can I do to make my home less conducive to Legionella contamination? |
| A. The plumbing system (via showers and faucets), whirlpool spas and bathtubs, and humidifiers present a potential risk of legionellae exposure in homes. A number of measures can be taken to minimize legionellae growth. The long list of risk reduction options for homes cannot be covered in this brief FAQ. |
| Are certain types of buildings more prone than others to have problems with legionellae? |
| Cases of Legionnaires' disease have been linked to many types of equipment that contain water, but plumbing systems and air conditioning systems are most often blamed. Although it is possible to contract the illness from legionellae growing in home plumbing systems, most cases have been traced to large buildings. This may be because larger piping networks are generally more conducive to legionellae growth. Also, the air conditioning systems for large buildings often include cooling towers, which contain a pool of warm water in which legionellae can flourish. |
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What is Legionnaires' disease?