southwest medical center
Legionnaire's disease is a pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella rmeumophila. The organism, which normally lives in pond water, was named after the popular as the cause for the outbreak of a mysterious and highly virulent pulmonary infection under 200 persons participating in an American Legion convention in 1976 in Philadelphia. Since that time, about 20 kinds of disease bacteria have been identified. These organisms will be through the air. In the 1976-epidemic, the bacteria were in a hotel air conditioning. Since then, numerous Smaller outbreaks were persecuted for central air conditioning, where the bacteria thrive in pools of stagnant water and circulated through air ducts. symptoms of Legionnaire's disease comeon illness suddenly after an incubation period 2-10 days. Characteristic include general malaise, chills, nausea, vomiting , diarrhea, headache, muscle aches, disorientation, fever, that may be as high as 105 ° F and cough. The cough usually starts dry, but gradually progress to gray streaks or blood in the sputum. About IS percent of untreated cases deadly.

Diagnostic tests and procedures

When Legionnaires' disease is suspected, a chest X-ray, it may turn out, liquid in one or both lungs, and perhaps lung abscesses. Laboratory cultures of sputum must be done to the organisms caused by the disease. To collect the tissue samples and secretions of these studies, bronchoscopy may be used. This procedure involves a long, flexible tube ads through the mouth into the trachea and bronchi, so that the doctor on the inside of the airways and to collect tissue and fluid samples. Blood tests may be antibodies to the bacterium.

Medical Treatments

Antibiotic therapy is the cornerstone of treatment, erythromycin is the drug of first choice. In addition to erythromycin, seriously ill patients can receive rifampin, an antibiotic, most commonly used to treat tuberculosis. The drugs are administered intravenously in the first, then through the mouth, when a patient's condition has improved. The treatment usually continues for three weeks or more, and all medications should be taken even if the symptoms subside. Severely ill patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit, where oxygen can be administered and vital signs monitored continuously Such precautions to prevent such complications as shock, delirium, heart failure, kidney failure and the development of an irregular heartbeat.

Alternative Therapies

Only antibiotic therapy can cure disease Legionnaire's disease, but alternative therapies can alleviate the symptoms.

Herbal Medicine

For treatment of pneumonia of all kinds, Western Kräuterkundige recommend tea from giant Solomon's seal, an herb that can also be used to create a package for the application on the chest two or three times per day. Other herbal remedies are hyssop tea and garlic, boneset, mullein, or capsules.

Homeopathy

Among the substances practitioners use in the treatment of pneumonia are Aconitum, Arsenicum album, and the ABC formula. Bacillinum can once a week, but should not be repeated if the first dose does not bring any improvement. Hepar is said to be effective, if mucus is thick, greenish or foulsmelling.

Self-treatment

Complete bed rest until acute symptoms subside is the most important aspect of self-care, even for mild cases. Until the disease is that two to four weeks, do not try to exercise other than the practice deep breathing and gentle range of motion exercises of the limbs, neck and shoulders. A cool mist humidifier increases the humidity in the air, the lungs help thin secretions so they can more easily coughed. Drink extra fluids and thin mucus. A heating pad can relieve pain in the chest, but be sure to turn it off before you go to sleep. Keep warm. Avoid loud talking and singing, both of which can trigger coughing. If your cough is painful, but not sputum, ask your doctor about a nonprescription cough suppression. If it does produce sputum, an expectorant for the secretions easier to cough. , A slight fever, the aspirin or Acetaminophen. Call your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms:

Fever of 102 ° F (38.9 ° C) or higher.

Severe pain in the chest.

Increased shortness of breath.

Bloody sputum.

Bluish color of the nails, lips or skin.

Other causes of pulmonary symptoms

Similar symptoms occur in other infections of the lungs, especially other forms of bacterial pneumonia.

Read more about Lymphedema Lymphedema Treatment for departure and venous ulcers