A dangerous and perhaps fatal illness, legionnaires’ disease. We investigate what it is, what causes it, a bacteria called legionella, the signs and symptoms, the methods of treatment, and the course of recovery
What Disease Does Legionella Cause?
An extreme form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease is brought on by the Legionella bacteria.
What Transmits Legionnaire’s Disease?
Inhaling water droplets containing the Legionella bacterium can cause people to get Legionnaires’ illness.
Humidifiers, cooling towers, hot and cold water systems, air conditioning units, spa pools, and humidifiers can all support the growth of Legionella bacteria. It does well in the following environments:
- water at between 20-45°C
- when nutrients like algae, rust, sludge, scale, and sediment are present
- where the water system’s flow is sluggish (eg, if a shower or tap is not regularly used)
Legionella bacteria are uncommon in homes because of the high water turnover that occurs there. The places where it is most likely to be discovered are hotels, hospitals, and workplaces where the water supply has allowed the bacteria to enter and proliferate. People may become infected if it enters the water supply through the spray from a shower, a tap, or a process where water is heated and sprayed, for example. Ponds, lakes, and rivers may contain the bacteria, although these are not likely sources of illness.
How Often Does Legionnaire’s Disease Spread?
According to the Health and Safety Executive, there are typically 200 to 250 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ illness recorded each year in England and Wales (HSE). The true number of instances, though, is thought to be substantially greater.
In Cumbria, a public recreation centre saw one of the most well-known outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in the UK in 2002. Aerosols from a badly maintained air conditioning unit disseminated the Legionella bacteria, resulting in the deaths of seven people and the illness of 180 others. The tragedy has used as a marketing tool for preventing Legionella in the future.
Is Legionnaire’s Disease Communicable?
It is typically safe to be near people who have the sickness because you must inhale water droplets in order to contract the illness.
Risk Factors Of Legionella
There are a few risk factors that increase your vulnerability to the illness, with smoking or chronic lung disease being the most common. Also, those who have had organ transplants and those who take corticosteroid medications run a higher risk. The disease affects men around three times more frequently than it does women.
Who Is Vulnerable?
Although it is uncommon, the following populations are particularly susceptible to the disease:
- those who are 50 or older
- people who already have a pulmonary issue or an underlying medical condition
- those whose immune systems are weak, such as those with cancer or HIV
- those who heavily consume alcohol or smoke
The condition rarely affects infants or young children.
Regular Symptoms
Typically, two to ten days after infection, the disease’s early symptoms appear. However, the disease has neither conventional nor distinctive signs, and not everyone who is exposed to the germs experiences symptoms. Early signs of the flu generally resemble the following and may also include:
- a fever
- dry coughs
- loss of strength, also known as asthenia
- aching muscles
- headaches
If left untreated, the infection may worsen within the first week, and those who are infected may develop new symptoms include coughing up green phlegm and having trouble breathing. When breathing, they could have chest pain.
Some Legionnaires’ disease patients have nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain. Almost half of patients experience nervous system issues, including confusion, delirium, depression, disorientation, and hallucinations.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to contact a doctor as soon as you can. A doctor can take the necessary steps to rule out Legionnaires’ disease as the source of your symptoms.
If you have a severe cough in the UK, you should call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk and:
- it doesn’t go away
- you struggle breathing
- you’re experiencing severe chest pains
- you have feverish symptoms
- you feel like you have the flu
Given that these might be Legionnaires’ disease symptoms.
Long-Term Effects Of Legionella Infection
Legionnaires’ illness can be lethal in severe circumstances. Respiratory failure, shock, acute renal failure, and multiple organ failure are examples of other serious consequences.
Although the majority of patients will recover following treatment without any negative side effects, certain patients who undergo severe respiratory failure may develop long-term problems such chronic lung scarring and restrictive pulmonary disease. For several months, nonspecific secondary symptoms such weakness, poor memory, and weariness are common in severe cases.
Conclusion
A type of pneumonia known as legionnaires’ disease, it has severe symptoms similar to the flu. It can be lethal, thus early detection is crucial to minimising the disease’s effects and avoiding any negative outcomes.
Legionella bacteria, which can be found in industrial water systems, are what cause the illness. People must be protected from Legionnaires’ disease by employers or those in charge of a facility. Any concerns will be identified, along with management strategies, via a Legionella Risk Assessment conducted by a specialised water treatment business. Temperature control, regular cleaning, water sampling, and chemical dosing may all be necessary for effective risk management.
