Legionella Research Paper

faecalis has a low pathogenicity (scilo), it is a virulent, opportunistic pathogen to be reckoned with and is thought of as a super-bug. This is not only due to its ability to resist a variety of antibiotics, but also its ability to travel and employ biofilm formations. It can grow and adapt in many different environments. It can thrive in a wide range of temperatures and has disregard whether salt or oxygen are present, or whether the pH is basic or acidic. Its resilience on inanimate objects makes it a perfect candidate for transmission to occur within the hospital environment from hand to instrument, but it can also be spread via hand-to-hand contact and from food contamination (Public Health Agency of

The Bellevue-Stratford hotel article discussed a case of sicknesses caused by Legionella bacteria. The doctors treating the people didn’t know what was the cause, but scientist collected samples from that patient’s lungs. Upon initial review, nothing conclusive was found from the lung samples, but months later a cluster of red rods was found that was overlooked the first time. This taught me that it is so, so import to double check your work and be thorough with your job. I also learned that air flows through a city differently than I thought. While reading the article, I understood that the disease wasn’t spreading but I kept wondering why if it was related to the air. It just seemed like it should spread. I learned that the bacteria were

2. What are examples of bacteria and pathogen of concern in water that can cause illness?

It is not an airborne bacterium nor can it be transmitted from person to person. The elderly and any individual that has pre-existing respiratory conditions, chronic lung disease, smoke have asthma, or are fifty years of age or older are at a higher risk of death if diagnosed with this disease. The bacteria or bacterium, Legionella enters and is transmitted through the lungs from either inhalation of aerosolized contaminated soil and/or water or by aspirating contaminated water. Legionnaires’ disease can lead to life-threatening complications such as; respiratory failure, septic shock, acute kidney failure and even

This poisoning can affect the general health of a population. Unsafe water can lead to an increase in health problems, such as cancer. This can cause many case managers focusing on access to health care and treatments. Many of these health problems will result in end-of-life case management. Contaminated water can also cause physical and intellectual developmental delays.

Adverse effects can occur if there is too much residual chlorine in water. The use of chlorine can possibly cause carcinogenic compounds such as chloroform. There is still an ongoing debate if chlorine is the best way to disinfect a

There are multiple precautions that can be taken to help prevent the spread of the infection and eventually kill it altogether. To keep the bacteria spreading the workers must be careful to keep anything that may move from an infected pond to a healthy pond clean.

Legionnaires' disease is known as a form of pneumonia caused by any type of aerobic bacteria that is part of the species Legionella. The most significant amount of Legionnaires' disease cases are triggered by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila according to the Mayo Clinic. You normally get it by inhaling in spray from water that has the bacteria in it. The spray may come from various sources such as hot tubs, showers, or air-conditioning units used for larger structures such as buildings. The bacteria luckily does not spread from person to person contact. But it is still a problem that must be dealt with because people who are elderly, smokers, and anybody with a weak immune system are extremely vulnerable to this bacteria.

Legionnaires' disease is a severe bacterial pneumonia first identified after an outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia in 1976, but earlier cases have been confirmed as far back as 1947. The article, A Belated Look at New York’s Cooling Towers, Prime Suspect in Legionnaires’ Outbreak written by Winnie Hu and Noah Remnnick, is about what New York City is doing to prevent further spread of the Legionnaires' disease. It was first named Legionella pneumophila and later changed to legionellosis. Since the city's first confirmed case in 1977, in the South Bronx alone, the disease has infected almost 100 people and killed eight as of this writing. Sadly, it took the largest and deadliest outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in New

(Tortora, Funke, & Case, 2013, p. 414) Most hospitalized patients will be immune compromised to some extent and the hospital, by nature, is a pathogen rich environment. Ongoing efforts to minimize pathogens in the environment by all hospital employees, patients and visitors are crucial. Infection control nurses and/or committees should work continuously to identify and eradicate possible infection sources. Equipment, especially respirators and humidifiers must be kept scrupulously clean lest they become reservoirs for microbial growth. (Tortora, Funke, & Case, 2013, p. 417) Strategically placed signs warning visitors to avoid entering the hospital if they are unwell, strict compliance with standard precautions, private rooms and special ventilation systems for contagious patients are all essential in the effort to minimize contamination. Occasionally, airborne and droplet precautions are necessary, but most pathogens responsible for common HAIs are spread by direct or indirect contact. Chain of transmission is therefore the parameter over which nurses have particular influence, as nurses have the most direct, hands-on contact with

The naturally found bacterium, Legionella, causes this disease. Since Legionella prefers warmer water, it is not generally found in natural water sources such as lakes, rivers, or oceans—or it is found in low numbers in said sources. (Garrison & Hicks, 2013) It is, however, found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems, air conditioners and ventilation systems (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Though the exact infectious dose is not know, it can be assumed to be relatively low as the origination of the infection can often be trace to a source of a considerable distance. In comparison, the lethal dose is much higher—anywhere from 2400 to 100000

Doctors are always telling us to drink more water to improve our health, but what if that water is contaminated by a potentially toxic chemical? When it comes to our drinking water in America, compared to other countries around the world, there is usually no concern in becoming ill after consuming a nice, big glass of tap water. The reason you don’t question the quality is because of the regulations in place by US Environmental protection Agency (EPA) for public drinking water. But now we are foreseeing issues with our drinking water due to chemicals used in items such as food packaging materials (such as pizza boxes and popcorn bags), fabrics, nonstick cooking pans and firefighting foams (Scutti). As a result of their inhabitance, the chemicals

Legionnaires’ disease, a serious type of pneumonia, is typically contracted by breathing in small droplets of water in the air that contain the bacteria Legionella, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains. Legionella occurs naturally in fresh water sources but becomes an issue in man-made

The organizations must ensure its infection prevention policies and procedures are up to date and that all staff have completed and continue to complete this training on an annual basis, or sooner should there be a sudden increase in patient infections. In addition, the organization should also increase awareness as far as antibiotic resistance to both the stakeholders and staff. Written infection prevention policies and procedures should be accessible to staff at all times.

Legionnaires’ disease is an important public health problem that can cause substantial morbidity and mortality.1 This bacterial infection is caused primarily by the gram negative bacteria, Legionella pneumophila, found in freshwater environments throughout the world.2, 3