ML070170426

VYNPS - SEIS Web Reference - Legionellosis-Legionnaires Disease and Pontiac Fever

ML070170426
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Site:	Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date:	12/18/2006
From:	US Dept of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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Topic Home Programs Offices Disease Listing Get Smart on the Farm 11 Aug 2005 CDC Foundation interview with Tom Chiller, epidemiologist and medical director of CDC's Get Smart on the Farm program.

1600 Clifton Road NE, MS-D63 Atlanta, GA 30033 Phone: + 1-800-311-3435 Email Us Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases Home > Home > Disease Listing > Legionellosis Legionellosis:

Legionnaires' Disease (LD) and Pontiac Fever Frequently Asked Questions Legionellosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. The disease has two distinct forms:

Legionnaires' disease acquired its name in 1976 when an outbreak of pneumonia occurred among persons attending a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia. Later, the bacterium causing the illness was named Legionella.

What is Legionnaires disease?

Legionnaires disease (LEE-juh-nares) is caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella. The bacteria got its name in 1976, when many people who went to a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion suffered from an outbreak of this disease, a type of pneumonia (lung infection). Although this type of bacteria was around before1976, more illness from Legionnaires disease is being detected now.

This is because we are now looking for this disease whenever a patient has pneumonia.

Each year, between 8,000 and 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease in the U.S. However, many infections are not diagnosed or reported, so this Disease Listing l General Information l Technical Information l Additional Information What is Legionnaires disease?

What are the usual symptoms of legionellosis?

How serious is it? What is the treatment?

Where doLegionella bacteria come from?

How do people get Legionnaires disease?

Who gets this disease?

What should I do if I think I was exposed to Legionella bacteria?

Legionnaires' disease, the more severe form of infection which includes pneumonia, and Pontiac fever, a milder illness.

Page 1 of 3 Disease Listing, Legionellosis, General Information l CDC Bacterial, Mycotic Diseases 12/18/2006 http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/legionellosis_g.htm

number may be higher. More illness is usually found in the summer and early fall, but it can happen any time of year.

Back to Top What are the symptoms of Legionnaires disease?

Legionnaires' disease can have symptoms like many other forms of pneumonia, so it can be hard to diagnose at first. Signs of the disease can include: a high fever, chills, and a cough. Some people may also suffer from muscle aches and headaches. Chest X-rays are needed to find the pneumonia caused by the bacteria, and other tests can be done on sputum (phlegm), as well as blood or urine to find evidence of the bacteria in the body.

These symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria.

A milder infection caused by the same type of Legionella bacteria is called Pontiac Fever. The symptoms of Pontiac Fever usually last for 2 to 5 days and may also include fever, headaches, and muscle aches; however, there is no pneumonia.

Symptoms go away on their own without treatment and without causing further problems.

Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires disease may also be called Legionellosis (LEE-juh-nuh-low-sis) separately or together.

Back to Top How serious is it? What is the treatment?

Legionnaires' disease can be very serious and can cause death in up to 5% to 30% of cases. Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics [drugs that kill bacteria in the body], and healthy people usually recover from infection.

Back to Top Where doLegionella bacteria come from?

The Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment, usually in water. The bacteria grow best in warm water, like the kind found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems, or parts of the air-conditioning systems of large buildings. They do not seem to grow in car or window air-conditioners.

Back to Top How do people get Legionnaires disease?

People get Legionnaires' disease when they breathe in a mist or vapor (small droplets of water in the air) that has been contaminated with the bacteria. One example might be from breathing in the steam from a whirlpool spa that has not been properly cleaned and disinfected.

The bacteria are NOT spread from one person to another person.

Outbreaks are when two or more people become ill in the same place at about the same time, such as patients in hospitals. Hospital buildings have complex water systems, and many people in hospitals already have illnesses that increase their risk for Legionella infection.

Other outbreaks have been linked to aerosol sources in the community, or with cruise ships and hotels, with the most likely sources being whirlpool spas, cooling towers Page 2 of 3 Disease Listing, Legionellosis, General Information l CDC Bacterial, Mycotic Diseases 12/18/2006 http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/legionellosis_g.htm

(air-conditioning units from large buildings), and water used for drinking and bathing.

Back to Top Who gets this disease?

People most at risk of getting sick from the bacteria are older people (usually 65 years of age or older), as well as people who are smokers, or those who have a chronic lung disease (like emphysema).

People who have weak immune systems from diseases like cancer, diabetes, or kidney failure are also more likely to get sick from Legionella bacteria. People who take drugs to suppress (weaken) the immune system (like after a transplant operation or chemotherapy) are also at higher risk.

Back to Top What should I do if I think I was exposed to Legionella bacteria?

Most people exposed to the bacteria do not become ill. If you have reason to believe you were exposed to the bacteria, talk to your doctor or local health department. Be sure to mention if you have traveled in the last two weeks.

A person diagnosed with Legionnaires disease in the workplace is not a threat to others who share office space or other areas with him or her. However, if you believe that there your workplace was the source of the persons illness, contact your local health department.

Back to Top Date: October 12, 2005 Content source: Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases / Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Home l Policies and Regulations l Disclaimer l e-Government l FOIA l Contact Us Depa and H Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A Tel: (404) 639-3311 / Public Inquiries: (404) 639-3534 / (800) 311-3435 Page 3 of 3 Disease Listing, Legionellosis, General Information l CDC Bacterial, Mycotic Diseases 12/18/2006 http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/legionellosis_g.htm