What is the prognosis and outcome for patients who have contracted Legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires Disease FAQIf the patient is treated with appropriate antibiotics near the onset of pneumonia, the outcome is good, especially if the patient has no underlying illness that compromises his/her immune system. For patients whose immune systems are compromised, including transplant recipients, delay of appropriate therapy can result in prolonged hospitalization, complications, or death.
Related QuestionsWhat is Legionnaires' disease?
FAQ - Legionella Control InternationalLegionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia. It was named after an outbreak of severe pneumonia, which affected a meeting of the American Legion in 1976. It is an uncommon but serious disease. The illness occurs more frequently in men than women. It usually affects middle-aged or elderly people and it more commonly affects smokers or people with other chest problems. Legionnaires' disease is uncommon in younger people and is very uncommon under the age of 20 ... Legionnaires' disease >>
Related QuestionsHow do people get Legionnaires' disease?
FAQ - Legionella Control InternationalThe germ which causes Legionnaires’ disease is a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila. People catch Legionnaires' disease by inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air, which contain the Legionella bacterium. However, most people who are exposed to Legionella do not become ill.
Related QuestionsHow dangerous is Legionnaires' Disease?
BBC - h2g2 - Legionnaires' Disease - Frequently Asked Questi...Research has indicated that Legionella is an opportunistic pathogen, which (theoretically) means that under normal circumstances, it does not cause full-blown Legionnaires' Disease, and will only strike when conditions are right.
Related QuestionsPhigenics - Water Management CompanyLegionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by Legionella, a bacterium found primarily in warm water environments. Both the disease and the bacterium were discovered following an outbreak traced to a 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia. Pontiac fever, a flu-like illness, is also caused by Legionella organisms (legionellae), but is not as serious as Legionnaires' disease. Most people who get Pontiac fever recover within five days, without having to be hospitalized.Related Questions
Where does Legionnaires' disease come from?
FAQ - Legionella Control InternationalThe bacterium which causes Legionnaires' disease is widespread in nature. It mainly lives in water, for example ponds, where it does not usually cause problems. Outbreaks occur from purpose-built water systems where temperatures are warm enough to encourage growth of the bacteria, e.g. in cooling towers, evaporative condensers and whirlpool spas (trade name Jaccuzi) and from water used for domestic purposes in buildings such as hotels.
Related QuestionsWhat measures are there to control Legionnaires' disease?
FAQ - Legionella Control InternationalTo prevent the occurrence of Legionnaires' disease, companies which operate these systems must comply with regulations requiring them to manage, maintain and treat them properly. Amongst other things, this means that the water must be treated and the system cleaned regularly ... Legionnaires' disease >>
Related QuestionsWhat will it do to me? What is my prognosis?
Multiple Sclerosis - Frequently Asked Questions FAQImpossible to predict. At best you may suffer minor symptoms which may or may not increase in severity over a number of years. At worst you may become very disabled and end up confined to a wheelchair, or in extreme cases you may be completely bed-bound and wholly reliant on care. This site is hosted by names.co.uk and the domain name has been registered with them. I have found them to be reasonably priced, helpful and reliable.
Related QuestionsFAQIrritable Bowel Syndrome impairs the people affected and reduces their quality of life. The symptoms can persist lifelong. The complaints can from time to time increase or ease up. With the right treatment about half of all patients suceed in leading a complaint free life. For that reason it is important for the patient to find an experienced doctor they can trust.Related Questions
FAQ's - Alzheimers-MDUnfortunately, prognosis is poor. This disease progresses steadily and development of total disability is common. Eventually the Alzheimer's patient requires some type of nursing care, either by family members or a nursing home facility. Death normally occurs not from the disease itself, but usually from an infection such as pneumonia, or the failure of other body systems.Related Questions
faqStudies have indicated that many people with autism may require varying degrees of support throughout their lives. It appears that an individual's intellectual ability may be an important factor in the long term prognosis.Related Questions
How is the disease contracted?
Crypto FAQ - Clermont County, Ohio General Health DistrictCryptosporidium lives in the intestine of infected humans or animals. Millions of Crypto germs can be released in a bowel movement from an infected human or animal. Consequently, Cryptosporidium is found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been contaminated with infected human or animal feces. If a person swallows the parasite they become infected. You cannot become infected through contact with blood.
Related QuestionsWyeth Animal Health | Feline Aids: Frequently Asked Question...FIV is spread from cat to cat primarily through bite wounds, as the virus is shed in high levels through saliva. Outdoor cats are at higher risk for contracting the disease. An actual bite wound is an integral part of the disease transmission. Although rare, it is possible for a mother to pass the infection on to her unborn fetus.Related Questions
How do I reduce the risk of catching Legionnaires' Disease?
BBC - h2g2 - Legionnaires' Disease - Frequently Asked Questi...Try to avoid installing misting machines in your home or office. They may offer a certain degree of comfort, but they may also offer Legionella. It would be a good idea to stay clear of them at shopping malls as well. Keep your water tanks clean. Legionella are usually found in tanks that are coated with sludge and slime, and will usually live as layers of scum or as parasites of amoebae. Deny them these privileges and you will reduce the risk of these organisms breeding in your water.
Related QuestionsWhat causes Legionnaires' disease?
ALcontrol Laboratories - Europes Leading Food Testing, Land ...Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection (pneumonia) and is caused by bacteria that belong to the family Legionellecae. This family includes over 40 species and over 70 serogroups. Approximately half of these species have been implicated in human disease. Legionella pneumophila is responsible for approximately 90% of infections. Most cases are caused by L. pneumophila, serogroup 1.
Related QuestionsWhen was Legionnaires' Disease Discovered?
Legionnaires Disease FAQIn June 1976 a mystery illness emerged, primarily amongst patrons of an American Legion Conference held at the Stanford Hotel, Philadelphia USA. More than two hundred (200) fell ill and thirty four (34) died. A puzzled medical community frantically searched for answers. Eventually, in 1977 the CDC (Atlanta, USA) announced that their research found a new bacteria that was responsible for causing the disease, it was named Legionella Pneumophila.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires Disease FAQThe incubation period of Legionnaires' disease is from two to ten days; this is the time it takes before symptoms of the illness appear after being exposed to the bacteria. For several days, the patient may feel tired and weak. Most patients who are admitted to the hospital develop high fever often greater than 39.5?C (103?F). Cough can be the first sign of a lung infection. The cough may be sufficiently severe to cause sputum production (coughed up mucous).
Related QuestionsHow is Legionnaires' disease diagnosed?
Legionnaires Disease FAQSpecialised laboratory tests are necessary and, unfortunately, may not be available in many hospitals. These include culture on specialized Legionella media. Culture media furnish nutrients for the bacterium. When sputum from the patients are placed onto the culture media, the bacterium grows on the medium and can be identified. Other tests include direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) in which the bacterium can be stained and becomes visible under a fluorescent microscope.
Related QuestionsHow is Legionnaires' disease treated?
Legionnaires Disease FAQMany antibiotics are highly effective against Legionella bacteria. The two most potent classes of antibiotic are the macrolides (azithromycin), and the quinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gemifloxacin, trovofloxacin). Other agents that have been shown to be effective include tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole. Erythromycin, the former antibiotic of choice, has been replaced by more potent and less toxic antibiotics.
Related QuestionsWhat have been the water sources for Legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires Disease FAQThe source for confirmed cases are wide ranging, water distribution systems of large buildings, cooling towers, air-conditioning equipment, grocery mist machines, humidifiers, nebulizers, whirlpool spas, and hot springs, etc. etc. Click here to download the Hong Kong Prevention of Legionnaires' Disease Code of Practice (PDF format 288K) For further information call us today, you can call our Hong Kong office telephone: +(852) 2335 9830, send us a fax +(852) 2335 9862, or an email message
Related QuestionsWhat is the prognosis for patients with Churg Strauss Syndrome?
Churg Strauss Syndrome Association -About CSSAUnfortunately, there is no cure for patients with Churg Strauss Syndrome, although remission is possible. A good quality of life may be achieved thanks to the progress of medical research. Life expectancy with Churg-Strauss Syndrome has increased dramatically since it was discovered in 1951, from some months to many years. Occasionally the damage to the heart, kidneys or nervous system remains even when the disease is in remission.
Related QuestionsWhat is the prognosis for TBI patients?
Traumatic Brain Injury FAQs : Garrett Law Office, P.C.According to experts, approximately half of severely head-injured patients require surgery to remove or repair ruptured blood vessels or contusions. Disabilities resulting from a TBI depend upon the severity of the injury, the location of the injury, and the age and general health of the individual.
Related QuestionsWhat is COPD? Can this disease be controlled? What is the outcome?
FAMILY MATTERS: "Collaboration for Health"It means that the person has a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (Lung) Disease. The key words are chronic and obstructive. Chronic means that it not curable, but it is certainly manageable. Obstructive means that it is hard to breathe though constricted air passages. This contributes to shortness of breath. COPD is a combination of emphysema, chronic bronchitis and even some asthma. This sounds like we are handing out more disease.
Related QuestionsWho is at risk of contracting Legionnaires disease?
Phigenics - Water Management CompanyThe risk of infection is based on two key factors: the number of legionellae reaching the body and the resistance of the individual. Young and healthy people can get Legionnaires' disease, but persons who are immunocompromised either because of illness (e.g., cancer) or medical treatment (e.g., chemotherapy) are at a much higher risk because they can be infected by relatively low legionellae counts.
Related QuestionsHow does a person get Legionnaires' disease?
Legionnaires' Disease eTool: Facts and FAQsA person must be exposed to water contaminated with LDB. This exposure may happen by inhaling aerosolized LDB or drinking water contaminated with LDB. Aspiration may occur when choking or spontaneously during the drinking, ingesting, swallowing process and allows oral fluids or particles to by-pass natural gag relaxes and enter into the respiratory tract and lungs instead of the esophagus and stomach.
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