Legionella Pneumonia

General Illness Information

Common Name:
Legionella Pneumonia

Medical Term:

None Specified Description: Infection of the lungs by a bacteria called Legionella Pneumophila. Named in 1976 after an epidemic affected 182 people attending the American Legion convention. Accounts for 1-8% of all pneumonias.

Causes: Infection by Legionella pneumophilia. It is spread between persons and contaminated sources. The germ is transmitted through the air, and the incubation period after exposure is 2 to 10 days.

Prevention: Have cooling and heating systems cleaned and inspected regularly. Do not smoke. Do not abuse alcohol.

Signs & Symptoms

	General malaise.
	Headache.
	Chills and fever up to 105 degrees F.
	Muscle aches.
	Cough without sputum that progresses to one with gray or blood-streaked sputum.
	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite.
	Altered mental status with confusion lethargy, or delirium
	Weight loss.

Risk Factors

	Chronic, debilitating illness including diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure or emphysema.
	HIV infection.
	Use of immuno-suppressive drugs, including cortisone and anticancer drugs, and in patients who have undergone organ transplantation.
	Smoking.
	Excess alcohol consumption.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnostic tests may include laboratory blood studies, X-Rays and culture of sputum, and bronchoscopy.
General Measures:
	Treatment is with antibiotics and supportive care.
	Hospitalization for intensive care and oxygen in severe cases
	The following apply to mild cases or to care after hospitalization:
	Use of cool-mist, ultrasonic humidifier to increase air moisture and thin lung secretions so they can be coughed up more easily. Clean humidifier daily.
	Use warm compresses or a heating pad on the chest to relieve chest pain.
	Practice deep-breathing exercises as often as your strength allows.

Medications:
	Antibiotics for over three weeks course. Be sure to finish all prescribed medication. Intravenous antibiotics may be given at the beginning.
	If the cough is painful and doesn't produce sputum, your doctor may advise you to use non-prescription medicine to suppress it. In general if the cough produces sputum, don't use cough suppressants.
	You may take aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce fever.

Activity:

Rest in bed until completely well. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for recovery.

Diet:
	No special diet. Maintain adequate fluid intake by drinking 6-8 glasses daily.

Possible Complications :
	Shock or delirium.
	Congestive heart failure.
	Kidney failure.
	Heart-rhythm disturbances.
	Overwhelming infection and death.

Prognosis

Usually curable with prompt diagnosis and treatment. If untreated, 15% of cases are fatal.

Other

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