A Look at Legionnaire's Disease

Legionnaire's disease, caused by the bacteria Legionella, though can attack those in a weak state of health with a barrage of nasty symptoms, is not too menacing for people in a healthy state.

The bacteria Legionella, according to cdc.gov, can usually culture in an environment involving moisture, examples of which are fresh water ponds, hot water systems and cooling towers. Legionella can also be present even in the mist from various aerosols and what can be more disparaging is if it enters the supply of public water.

The bacteria Legionella then develops in to what is called Legionnaire's disease in human beings. Some strains of Legionella have been found to have caused Pontiac fever. This can then result to nausea, fever, dry cough, chills and compromises on the nervous system in inauspicious patients.

Legionnaire's disease' symptoms including anorexia, headache and myalgia are initially evident in two to ten days of infection of Legionella. This startling development should be deliberately considered by the medical personnel involved to suspect presence of Legionella. Severe infection can lead to hypotension, shock and even respiratory failure which would require hospitalization.

The effects of Legionella in the absence of early detection can be fatal and cause an average of 40 mortalities per annum and yet, infections by Legionella are easily preventable. With Legionnaire's disease affecting around 8,000 to 18,000, according to legionella.org, individuals in the United States, early detection and prevention should be given priority in all water systems deemed to be contaminated with Legionella.

Regular monitoring of communities with a widespread of hospitals and nursing homes which are largely at risk should be of main concern. Seminars and trainings on the awareness is an imperative step that should be implemented especially in the work environment.

Deficiency of this kind of training and poor information dissemination about Legionella is one of the major factors in the occurrence of Legionnaire's disease and should be immediately acted on to control the spread of this disease.

Though companies may gain control over any impending risks in health and develop system monitoring through risk assessment and water management, involving an external sector is greatly recommended because of their capabilities and know- how for a more effective and efficient operation.

Substantial protection against the development of the disease caused by Legionella and prevention of those highly risked is given importance as it is apparent that the Legionella bacteria can fit into a single droplet of aerosolized water.

Sources

1. Legionnaires' disease, cdc.gov

2. General Information about Legionnaires' disease, legionella.org