| Legionnaire's disease is a pneumonia caused by the | | | | These precautions help prevent such complications as |
| bacterium Legionella rmeumophila. The organism, | | | | shock, delirium, heart failure, kidney failure, and |
| which normally dwells in pond water, was given its | | | | development of an irregular heartbeat. |
| popular name after being identified as the cause of | | | | Alternative Therapies |
| an outbreak of a mysterious, highly virulent | | | | Only antibiotic treatment can cure Legionnaire's |
| pulmonary infection among 200 people attending a | | | | disease, but alternative therapies may help relieve |
| 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia. Since | | | | symptoms. |
| that time, nearly 20 species of the disease causing | | | | Herbal Medicine |
| bacterium have been identified. These organisms are | | | | To treat pneumonia of all types, Western herbalists |
| transmitted through the air. In the 1976 epidemic, the | | | | recommend tea made of giant Solomon's seal, an |
| bacteria were present in a hotel air conditioning | | | | herb that may also be used to make a poultice for |
| system. Since then, numerous smaller outbreaks have | | | | application to the chest two or three times a day. |
| been traced to central air conditioning systems, | | | | Other herbal remedies include hyssop tea and garlic, |
| where the bacteria thrive in pools of stagnant water | | | | boneset, or mullein capsules. |
| and are circulated through air ducts. Symptoms of | | | | Homeopathy |
| Legionnaire's disease comeon suddenly after an | | | | Among the substances practitioners use in treating |
| incubation period ranging from 2 to 10 days. | | | | pneumonia are aconitum, arsenicum album, and the |
| Characteristic indications include general malaise, chills, | | | | ABC formula. Bacillinum may be given once a week |
| nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches, | | | | but should not be repeated if the first dose brings no |
| disorientation, a fever that may rise as high as | | | | improvement. Hepar is said to be effective when |
| 105°F and a cough. The cough usually starts out | | | | phlegm is thick, greenish, or foulsmelling. |
| dry but gradually progresses to produce gray or | | | | Self Treatment |
| blood streaked sputum. About IS percent of all | | | | Complete bed rest until acute symptoms abate is the |
| untreated cases are fatal. | | | | most important aspect of self-care, even for mild |
| Diagnostic Studies And Procedures | | | | cases. Until the illness is over, which can take two to |
| If Legionnaire's disease is suspected, a chest X-ray | | | | four weeks, do not try to exercise other than to |
| will be taken; it may reveal fluid in one or both lungs | | | | practice deep breathing and gentle range of motion |
| and perhaps lung abscesses. Laboratory cultures of | | | | exercises of the limbs, neck, and shoulders. A cool |
| sputum must be done to identify the organisms that | | | | mist humidifier increases the moisture in the air, which |
| are causing the disorder. To collect the tissue samples | | | | helps thin lung secretions so they can be coughed up |
| and secretions for these studies, bronchoscopy may | | | | more easily. Drinking extra fluids also helps thin mucus. |
| be used. This procedure involves passing a long, | | | | A heating pad can relieve chest pain, but be sure to |
| flexible viewing tube through the mouth and windpipe | | | | turn it off before going to sleep. Keep warm. Avoid |
| and into the bronchial tubes, thus enabling the doctor | | | | singing and talking loudly, both of which can trigger |
| to study the interior of the airways as well as to | | | | coughing. If your cough is painful but produces no |
| collect tissue and fluid samples. Blood tests may | | | | sputum, ask your doctor about a nonprescription |
| detect antibodies to the bacterium. | | | | cough suppressant. If it does produce sputum, an |
| Medical Treatments | | | | expectorant makes the secretions easier to cough |
| Antibiotic therapy is the cornerstone of treatment, | | | | up. To reduce a mild fever, take aspirin or |
| erythromycin being the drug of first choice. In | | | | acetaminophen. Call your doctor immediately if any of |
| addition to erythromycin, seriously ill patients might | | | | these symptoms appear: |
| receive rifampin, an antibiotic most commonly used to | | | | A fever of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher. |
| treat tuberculosis. The drugs may be given | | | | Severe chest pain. |
| intravenously at first, then by mouth, once a patient's | | | | Increased shortness of breath. |
| condition has improved. Treatment usually continues | | | | Bloody sputum. |
| for three weeks or more, and all prescribed | | | | Bluish color of the nails, lips, or skin. |
| medication should be taken, even when symptoms | | | | Other Causes of Pulmonary Symptoms |
| abate. Severely ill patients may be hospitalized in an | | | | Similar symptoms occur in other lung infections, |
| intensive care unit, where oxygen can be | | | | especially other types of bacterial pneumonia. |
| administered and vital signs monitored continuously | | | | |