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THE Legionella pneumophilia is a bacterium that can be found in standing water and in hot and humid environments, such as bathtubs and air conditioning, which can be inhaled and remain in the respiratory system, leading to the development of legionellosis, also known as legionary disease.
As the bacteria lodges in the pulmonary alveoli after being inhaled, infection by Legionella pneumophilia leads to the appearance of respiratory symptoms, such as difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath and chest pain. It is important that infection with this bacterium is identified and treated according to the guidance of the pulmonologist or general practitioner in order to avoid complications that could put the person's life at risk.
Treatment for legionellosis should be done with antibiotics according to the severity of the symptoms presented by the person, and hospitalization and the use of oxygen masks may be necessary.
Symptoms of infection by Legionella
Infection by Legionella pneumophilia leads to the development of mild pneumonia and symptoms can appear up to 10 days after contact with the bacteria, the main ones being:
- Chest pain;
- High fever;
- Dry cough, but which may contain blood;
- Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath;
- Chills;
- Malaise;
- Headache;
- Vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
If the presence of these symptoms is verified, it is important that the person consult the pulmonologist or general practitioner to make the diagnosis, which involves the evaluation of the signs and symptoms presented and the result of the blood count, the analysis of respiratory secretions and the X-ray of chest.
After confirming the diagnosis, treatment should be started immediately afterwards, as it is possible to prevent the development of complications, such as respiratory failure and death, for example.
How contamination happens
THE Legionella pneumophilia it proliferates easily in hot and humid environments and, therefore, it can be easily found in standing water, especially if there is algae or moss, a few clean water tanks, puddles, rivers, lakes, humid soils, cooling system, nebulizers, air humidifiers, saunas, spas and air conditioning filters.
Thus, contamination by this bacterium occurs when there is contact with any of these environments that usually proliferate, the most common form of contamination being the inhalation of dust particles that are released into the air when the air conditioner, whose filter is not cleaned periodically , is turned on. Although inhalation is the most common form of contamination, the bacteria can also be acquired by swimming in contaminated lakes and pools.
Legionellosis can happen to anyone, however it is more common in older people, smokers and / or those with weakened immune systems due to chronic diseases such as pulmonary emphysema, asthma, diabetes or liver failure, for example.
How to treat legionella
Treatment of infection by Legionella pneumophiliait can vary according to the severity of the symptoms presented by the person, and it can be done in the hospital and the use of antibiotics, administration of serum directly into the vein and use of an oxygen mask to promote the person's breathing may be indicated by the doctor.
The antibiotics that may be indicated by the doctor are Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin, Levofloxacin and Erythromycin, and its use may be indicated for 7 to 10 days.
The length of hospital stay varies according to the patient's recovery. In some cases the disease can be cured in 10 days, but in the most severe cases, which occurs when the patient is old, smokers or has other respiratory diseases and the weakened immune system, it may take longer to heal.
How not to catch Legionella
Infection with Legionella pneumophilia it can be serious and, therefore, it is important to take some precautions to avoid contamination, being recommended:
- Do not bathe or shower with very hot water, especially in public places such as gyms or hotels;
- Do not use saunas, hot tubs or jacuzzis that are not cleaned for a long time;
- Bathing in the bath opening the tap a little to reduce the water pressure;
- Clean filters and air-conditioning trays with water and chlorine every 6 months;
- Dip the shower in a mixture of water and chlorine to disinfect.
These precautions are especially indicated in the event of an epidemic due to Legionella, however, it is important to avoid all types of standing water and to have the habit of cleaning the showers with chlorine regularly.