Legionnaires’ Disease

Legionnaires’ Disease is a serious lung infection that originated in the United States in 1976 and has spread worldwide. It is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria called Legionella, which is usually inhaled. Legionnaires’ Disease has a high risk of spreading, especially in the water systems and air conditioning systems of large buildings. In this article we have written for you, we will try to give information about the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods of Legionnaires’ Disease.

What Is Legionnaire’s Disease?

Legionnaires’ Disease is a serious lung infection with pneumonia-like symptoms caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila. The disease was named after an outbreak at a conference attended by members of the American Legion in 1976. In this outbreak, many of the participants became ill with Legionella bacteria and some died. Legionnaires’ Disease is an infection caused by the Legionella bacteria, which is usually water and soil-borne and transmitted through respiration.

What are the Causes of Legionnaires’ Disease?

The main cause of Legionnaires’ Disease is the inhalation of Legionella bacteria. This bacterium can live in natural and artificial water sources. Especially in humid and hot environments such as hot water systems, air conditioning systems, water towers, and evaporative cooling systems, it is easier for bacteria to grow and spread. The disease is transmitted by inhalation of water particles that enter the air from such environments. Legionnaires’ disease is not transmitted from person to person and usually occurs in people at risk. These risk factors include old age, smoking, chronic lung diseases and immune system weakness.

What Are The Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease?

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease usually appear 2 to 10 days after the onset of infection. Initial symptoms of the disease include high fever, chills, weakness, headache, and muscle aches. In the later stages, symptoms of pneumonia such as cough, shortness of breath, chest pain and sometimes bloody sputum are observed. There may also be gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. If the disease is severe, serious complications such as inflammation of the lungs and organ failure can occur. With early diagnosis of Legionnaires’ Disease and appropriate treatment, the vast majority of patients can recover completely.

What Are The Risk Factors for Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection caused by a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila. There are some factors that increase the risk of developing this disease. Risk factors for Legionnaires’ disease can be explained as follows;

• Individuals aged 50 and over have a higher risk of developing Legionnaires disease.

• Men are more likely to get Legionnaires’ disease than women.

• Smokers have a higher risk of developing the disease than non-smokers. Smoking reduces the resistance of the lungs against infections.

• People with chronic lung disease, kidney disease, and diabetes are at increased risk of developing Legionnaires disease.

• Conditions that weaken the immune system such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and organ transplantation are risk factors for Legionnaires’ disease.

• People who spend time in areas such as air conditioning systems, hot water tanks, shower heads and pools where there are suitable environments for the bacteria to live and reproduce are at higher risk of developing the disease.

What Are The Complications of Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionnaires’ disease can lead to serious complications if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner. Complications of Legionnaires’ disease can be explained as follows;

Acute renal failure; During the course of the disease, it is possible that the kidneys lose their function, and kidney failure may occur.

Respiratory failure; Legionnaires’ disease can lead to severe damage to the lungs and respiratory failure. This negatively affects oxygen intake and poses a vital risk.

Septic shock; With the progression of the disease, bacteria spread into the bloodstream and a serious infection reaction occurs in the body. Septic shock can lead to organ failure and death.

Hydrothermal lung damage; Fluid accumulation and damage may occur in the lungs due to Legionnaires’ disease.

Where Is Legionnaires’ Disease Transmitted?

Legionnaires’ disease is transmitted from water and humid environments where Legionella bacteria are present. The bacteria are transmitted to humans through respiration by mixing into the air in the form of water vapor or aerosol. Legionnaires’ disease transmission sources are as follows;

• Air conditioning systems,
• Hot water tanks and heaters,
• Shower heads and taps,
• Cooling towers,
• Pools and jacuzzis,
• Water dispensers and humidifiers,

Legionnaires’ disease is not transmitted directly between people. Regular cleaning, chlorination and maintenance of water systems is important to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

How To Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection caused by a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila. This bacterium is often found in water systems and people become infected by breathing it in. Here are some measures that can be taken to prevent Legionnaires’ disease;

It is important to regularly clean and disinfect water systems to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria. This is especially important in public areas, hotels and hospitals.

Legionella bacteria can grow in hot water systems. It is therefore important that hot water tanks and pipes are well-insulated and regularly maintained.

Legionella bacteria can also be found in air conditioning systems. Regular cleaning and maintenance of air conditioning systems are important to prevent Legionnaires’ disease.

Shower heads and taps are areas where Legionella bacteria can be transmitted to humans. Therefore, this equipment should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.

The most important way to prevent Legionnaires’ disease is to pay attention to personal hygiene rules. Washing hands regularly and using clean water will help prevent the spread of the disease.

How Is Legionnaires’ Disease Diagnosed?

Legionnaires’ disease is diagnosed by the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and laboratory tests. The methods used for diagnosis are as follows;

The doctor checks for the presence of abnormal sounds by listening to the patient’s lungs. This is among the symptoms of legionnaires’ disease.

Chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan can be used to detect abnormal areas in the patient’s lungs that indicate the presence of infection.

Blood and urine tests can be used to detect the presence of Legionella bacteria. In addition, sputum culture can also be used to confirm the presence of the bacteria.

It is used to detect antigens of Legionella bacteria in the urine sample. This test can help diagnose the disease in its early stages.

How To Treat Legionnaires’?

Legionnaires’ disease treatment varies depending on the severity of the infection and the general health status of the patient. Generally, the following treatment methods are used;

• The most commonly used drugs in the treatment of Legionnaires’ disease are macrolide and quinolone group antibiotics. These drugs kill the Legionella bacteria and control the infection.

• Patients with severe Legionnaires’ disease are usually treated in hospitals. They may receive oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and, if necessary, respiratory support.

• Most patients show signs of improvement within a few days after starting antibiotic treatment. However, full recovery may take several weeks.

• Legionnaires’ disease can affect other organs besides the lungs. Therefore, doctors closely monitor the patient’s condition and apply the necessary treatment methods.

Regular maintenance of water systems, personal hygiene and cleaning of air conditioning systems are important to prevent Legionnaires’ disease. he disease is diagnosed by laboratory tests and radiological imaging. Antibiotics are used in the treatment and hospital treatment is applied when necessary.

Legionnaires’ Disease Treatment Prices in Turkey

Turkey has managed to announce its name to the world with its investments and studies in the field of health. Especially the latest technological devices used in diagnosis and treatment procedures have been a beacon of hope for many diseases. However, there has been an increase in health tourism in Türkiye.

• Hospitals are large, clean, spacious and fully equipped in terms of technological equipment.
• Turkish doctors are specialized, successful, and skilled in their fields.
• Nurses and carers are friendly and compassionate.
• Finding answers to the questions asked quickly and accurately.
• Patience and understanding of all staff, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient.
• Turkey offers holiday opportunities with its natural and historical beauties.
• Easy transportation.
• Diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, eating, drinking, dressing, and holiday needs can be met at affordable prices.

Such situations are shown among the reasons for preference. Regarding Legionnaires’ Disease Treatment Prices in Turkey, we can see that patients and relatives of patients who want to come to Turkey are doing research. However, it would not be right to give clear price information at this stage .Many factors such as the type of disease, stage, diagnosis process, treatment process, and stay in Türkiye affect the price issue. If you want to get more detailed price information, you can contact us. In addition, if you come to Turkey for treatment through us, we can facilitate your visa application process with the invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.