This disease, also known as the Legionellosis is caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila. It is a serious lung infection, which in some cases can be fatal. Legionnaires' disease was first observed in 1976 in the United States, in a hotel in Philadelphia, among participants at a congress of former combatants belonging to the American Legion.



Contamination. The bacteria responsible for Legionnaires' disease, named "Legionella pneumophila, survives in aquatic or damp environment, especially water condensed from air conditioning systems or water distribution pipes in urban areas. Infection occurs after inhalation of very fine droplets of contaminated water, e.g. during the shower.

The risk of contamination is greater in the presence of certain factors: smoking and alcoholism, diabetes, weakened immune system (immune system) and chronic respiratory insufficiency. Outbreaks of legionellosis occur only when the mode of contamination is linked to an air conditioning system or water distribution (return). Appropriate modern hotels, equipped with central air conditioning and water distribution, especially for showers are some of the places where you can contact this disease.

Legionnaires disease can break out in hospitals, which are also equipped with central air conditioning systems. But this way of contamination is very rare and not only seriously affects people whose immune system is weakened. Before the outbreak in 1976, in that hotel in Philadelphia, Legionnaires' disease had been responsible for other outbreaks of pneumonia, without the bacteria in question being identified.

Symptoms. Legionnaire’s disease symptoms are: headaches, temperature growth, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cough, moderate fever and a state of general malaise. Then, within days the Legionnaire’s disease symptoms consist of fever grow, muscle pain and fatigue. Pneumonia is manifested by chest pain, difficulty breathing and cough with expectoration.

This stage lasts about a week, when the disease is treated in time and occurs in people younger or without health problems, then progress to cure this disease. Instead, in the absence of treatment or to those extremely fragile, respiratory disorders worsen. Cough becomes productive in this situation, the patient was delirious and general condition deteriorates.

Diagnosis and treatment. Seriousness of the disease the patient should be hospitalized. Diagnosis is established by evidence the bacteria "Legionella pneumophila" in sputum or bronchial secretions harvested from the bronchi using a device.The antibiotics are administrated intravenously, especially in severe cases. It enables a rapid evolution favorable to younger patients and those without health problems until disease, but it should last at least 15 days, sometimes 3 weeks.

In severe forms may be needed assisted respiration in resuscitation service. Despite treatment, Legionnaires' disease is sometimes fatal to the elderly or those whose general condition is deteriorating. And where the epidemic was in Philadelphia when 29 died of former Legionnaires who had health problems are or were elders.

Prophylaxis. Constant supervision and disinfection of air conditioning and water distribution is the most effective preventive measures. Cooling aims regulation of temperature, humidity or dry conditions excessive air Modern Buildings, including hospitals, and its purification by filtration. This modern technology has, as shown, insidious effects. In fact, it may encourage the growth of microbes such as Legionella bacteria that has adapted extremely well to the humidity of air conditioning installations, enabling the contamination of those who occupy the buildings equipped with air conditioning.