It's Back - Legionnaires

You'd think once we identify and treat an illness it should be polite and go away. Just get on its high horse and ride out of town. It's truly disturbing when things like small pox and legionellosis reappear. To paraphrase Michael Corleone: "Just when we thought we were out, they pull us back in."

From the Illinois Daily Herald comes this story: "Three cases of Legionnaires' disease have been confirmed in a lab and seven others are suspected, according to Victor Plotkin, epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department (The Park at Vernon Hills, IL retirement community). "It appears to be contained and limited to this facility only," he added. The disease, which is contracted by inhaling contaminated mist or vapor, is not contagious and is not transmitted from person to person."

The story began three (3) days before what they've now discovered according to the Daily Herald: "In this case, the suspected source may be the aquatic elements in the atrium of the facility, which includes a rain forest, waterfall and spa. Those facilities have since been shut down. One of the deaths occurred in September, but that case was not indicative of a potentially larger problem, Victor Plotkin, epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department said. That changed when the health department was notified of a second case earlier this week. Subsequent investigation revealed a third confirmed case and the other suspected cases."

Like the H1N1 virus, detection was not apparent until one death became two. Disease care is not the most efficient or effective for the retention and preservation of life - in our opinion. While the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is in society's benefit it might not be in yours and our benefit. Health care has to start with us not just taking care of ourselves. Granted the number causes of death are largely preventable.

What we didn't know about Legionnaires disease could fill a book but thanks to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) we learned: "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."

While we aren't very good at exercise and eating properly we can look and find danger where we're told to look. Fake water walls, artificial lakes, don't usually attract our attention but we can make an effort not to position ourselves near bodies of water that are natural whether they're spas or decorations. Unfortunately disabled seniors might not be able to remove themselves from such artificial environments where their well meaning caregivers might park them. But you can. Add it to your lists so you or your loved ones don't kick the bucket!

Maryland may have more deaths to the H1N1 virus as compared to the reporting numbers of the District of Columbia or Virginia it's still rated better for health care than DC or VA. Numbers matter as in the H1N1 death statistics but they don't tell the whole picture.