Legionnaires Disease

Legionnaires' disease is known as a " Gram-negative bacteria". This means that during a Gram staining test the Legionella doesn't keep the pink dye. The reasoning behind this is because of the "cell wall composed of a thin layer of [peptidoglycan]" (Medicinenet.com). A counter stain is later added to make sure the bacteria being tested is surely Gram-negative. Legionnaires' disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria. In order to acquire the disease you must first obtain the Legionella bacteria. The spread of the bacteria can be "from inhaling airborne water droplets or mist containing viable Legionella pneumophila" (Legionellosis Guideline: Best Practices for Control of Legionella 3). Another important fact to note is that the "bacteria are NOT spread from one person to another person" (CDC.gov). Because Legionella is a bacteria, it commonly grows in warm water. Transmission of the bacteria can be from multiple places such as, water cooling systems, humidifiers, hot tubes, and hot water tanks. A large percentage of infections "occur in middle-age or older people" and "children can get the infection" although it isn't as bad (nlm.nih.gov). Most adults "do not become ill" (CDC.gov). …show more content…
" American Legionnaires' returning from a state convention in Philadelphia began to fall ill with mysterious symptoms: pneumonia and fevers topping 107 degrees" (nytimes.com). Following Legionnaire, a few more cases arose resulted in a high morbidity rate. It wasn't until six months later, that scientists learned that the Legionella bacteria caused the disease. Legionnaires'' disease, as a form of pneumonia has the following symptoms: "cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle ache, and headache" (CDC.gov). The symptoms may go unnoticed for a week. Improvement is even faster than that at 4-5 days. Legionnaires' disease has resulted in death, though cases common today are not as severe. You can still go to work without having to