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• Infectious Lecture Notes - Eneutron
• Previous Lecture Notes - Rabies

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Overview :

It is an infectious disease characterized by severe form of pneumonia

Etiology :

1. Causing agent - Legionella bacteria
2. Mechanism of transmission - Inhalation of aerosols provided by cooling towers and air conditioners

Risk people :

1. Older age (>50 age)
2. Smokers
3. With lung disease (COPD or Emphysema)
4. Weak immune system from disease like cancer, diabetes or kidney failure

Clinical Features :

1. Incubation period : 2-10 days
2. Temperature - 40°C
3. Headache, fever
4. Cough(mucus), shortness of breath
5. Chest Pain
6. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
7. Muscle pain
8. Severe pneumonia
9. Pontiac fever

Diagnosis :

1. Blood test
2. Bacteriological test (sputum, lung biopsy)
3. Fluorescent method
4. Serological ELISA
5. Chest X ray

Treatment :

1. Anti bacterial Therapy
1. Tetracycline (25mg/kg)
2. Rifampin
3. Macrolides
4. Ketolides
2. Intoxication - solution of glucose (20-30 ml/kg)
3. Anti-inflammation - prednisilone (2-3 mg)
4. Anti-vomiting - Paspertin