Background
Legionellosis is a series of infections caused by Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria. It includes pneumonia-type illness (Legionnaires’ disease) and mild febrile illness (Pontiac fever). Legionella bacteria is generally found in freshwater environments. It can become a health issue when it grow and spreads in human-made building water systems. Nearly 10,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease has been reported in United States in 2018.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease includes cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headaches, which are similar as pneumonia symptoms. About 1 out of every 10 patients with Legionnaires’ disease will die due to the complications.
Pontiac fever is a milder disease caused by Legionella. The symptoms include fever, headache and muscle pain. This infection would not cause death.
Transmission
Legionella causes disease when people breathe in the droplet containing this bacteria.
Treatment
Legionnaires’ disease can be treated with antibiotics, while patient with Pontiac fever can recovered without specific treatment.
Infection Control
There is no vaccine available for Legionnaires’ disease. It can be prevented by maintaining and disinfecting the building water systems to prevent the growth of Legionella and the biofilm.
Legionella is a gram-negative bacteria. Hisept has a range of products, including hand sanitizers, antiseptic solution, surface and instrument disinfectants that can effectively kill bacteria, including Legionella. The bactericidal activity of these products have been proved by EN 13727 tests.
Reference
https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/about/causes-transmission.html