MORE COMMON IMMUNE-SYSTEM DISEASES: INFLUENZA AND LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE
INFLUENZA (flu, grippe): viral invasion, usually of the lining of the respiratory tract. May spread to other parts of the body, such as the blood or gastrointestinal tract.
Signs and Symptoms: fever of sudden onset, 102-103 degrees; general chills; aches all over, especially in back and legs; headache; weakness; sensitivity to light; often aching behind eyes; watery discharge from eyes; whites of eyes may be reddened; sore throat; dry cough, although later may cough up mucous; the skin is flushed; often runny nose.
LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE: caused by bacteria Legionella pneumophila. Many victims died during the initial outbreak of the disease, but it can be treated today.
Signs and Symptoms: generally begins with high fever, which increases over a couple of days. May be severe weakness; disorientation; confusion; loss of appetite; often prostration; dry cough (not bad at first). Later on, cough can be watery or even have some blood in it. The heart rate is slow with this high fever, and there are chills of the shaking type. There can be pain of the chest on breathing. Watery diarrhea is common. Other signs and symptoms include headache; possible shortness of breath; aches in the muscles and joints; nausea; vomiting; sore throat; may be (but not commonly) a runny nose.
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March 10, 2010
More Common Immune-System Diseases- Influenza And Legionnaires’ Disease
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