Swimming in lakes can increase the risk of legionella infection

Swimming in some lakes with fixed water can lead to bacteria infection that can cause pneumonia, and people who are involved in swimming in open waters should be aware of this risk, say the authors of the article of the practice published in ().

“”, Writes Dr. Ashley Bryson, a resident of internal medicine at the University of Manitoba, with co -authors.

Infection is an unusual cause of pneumonia acquired by the community. Called legionnaires, he has fever, fatigue, respiratory symptoms and sometimes diarrhea. Bacteria develop in warm, stagnant water in hydraulic systems, air conditioners, public spa, and even lakes and rivers. Risk factors for legionnaire disease include age over 50 years old, smoking history, chronic cardiovascular disease or kidneys, diabetes and impaired immune system.

The 77-year-old patient described in the article visited Iowa and sailed in a natural lake 2 weeks earlier. Over 4 days of growing weakness in combination with fever, cough and repetitive sudden falls in his home, visited the emergency department. Considering his travel activity, clinicians suspected legionnaire disease after the initial standard antibiotic therapy does not treat his pneumonia.

There are less than 100 cases of legionnaire disease once, but because the diagnosis is difficult, cases may be insufficiently reported.

“” The authors recommend.