About Legionella
Legionella Under Ultra-Violet Light
Legionella, unlike many other diseases, has just recently been discovered and examined. Though the origins of Legionella are unsure at the moment, it had its first major outbreak in 1976. People who were attending an American Legion convention in Philadelphia fell ill to a strain of the pneumonia infection. Ironically named in honor of where it originated, this new strain of pneumonia was named Legionella. This small outbreak resulted in over 200 afflicted, while about 34 people were killed.
There are around 50 different strains of the Legionella bacterium. Legionellosis is the infectious disease caused by Legionella. The strain that causes this disease is known as Legionella pneumophila. Legionellosis has the potential to be fatal and are often quite rare. Despite the disease's rarity among humans, there have been cases of it around the world causing speculation that has become worldwide. Legionella is not an airborne pathogen, rather it thrives in wet or moist environments. Legionella has been shown to thrive in creeks, ponds,water taps, hot water tanks, and water in cooling towers and condensers of large air-conditioning systems.
Since Legionella is a different strain of pneumonia, doctors and scientists examine patients in order to see if the patient has Legionellosis. Doctors will then conduct further studies on the disease to find a vaccine or cure. Between 8,000 to 18,000 Americans are put into the hospital with Legionella every year. Legionella is still just a regular bacteria and can be maintained by taking anti-biotics. However, there is a potential of 5% to 30% of cases involving Legionella to result in the death of the victim.
There are around 50 different strains of the Legionella bacterium. Legionellosis is the infectious disease caused by Legionella. The strain that causes this disease is known as Legionella pneumophila. Legionellosis has the potential to be fatal and are often quite rare. Despite the disease's rarity among humans, there have been cases of it around the world causing speculation that has become worldwide. Legionella is not an airborne pathogen, rather it thrives in wet or moist environments. Legionella has been shown to thrive in creeks, ponds,water taps, hot water tanks, and water in cooling towers and condensers of large air-conditioning systems.
Since Legionella is a different strain of pneumonia, doctors and scientists examine patients in order to see if the patient has Legionellosis. Doctors will then conduct further studies on the disease to find a vaccine or cure. Between 8,000 to 18,000 Americans are put into the hospital with Legionella every year. Legionella is still just a regular bacteria and can be maintained by taking anti-biotics. However, there is a potential of 5% to 30% of cases involving Legionella to result in the death of the victim.
