Health News and Information

It usually starts as a mild respiratory infection, similar to any one of a number of viral respiratory infections but, within 48 hours, the condition worsens, the temperature rises considerably, a dry cough develops and there may be confusion if the brain is affected.

Many other organs throughout the body are involved.

The diagnosis is difficult to make, and the germ is hard to isolate.

It may be that the true diagnosis is not established for several weeks after the onset of the infection, by which time the patient has usually recovered.

A high degree of suspicion is more likely to lead to early diagnosis or certainly to the correct treatment being instituted while proof of the diagnosis is being pursued.

This germ does not respond to penicillin, and is also poorly controlled by many antibiotics. Erythromycin appears to be the preferred drug but this may need to be continued over at least two weeks.

Any of a number of types of pneumonia can mimic Legionnaires’ disease.

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How does the law stand with regard to a person refusing permission for a blood transfusion?

Such a problem usually arises when the patient is a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, whose beliefs do not allow the acceptance of a transfusion of blood or its derivatives even when it may be necessary to save life.

In recent years the Medical Journal of Australia published an editorial written by a barrister on how the law regarded the question.

Any adult has the right to make a decision about what treatment he will or will not have, and the doctor treating him must accept this. If the doctor cannot offer proper treatment under those terms, then he can refuse to continue with the case and ask the patient to consult another practitioner.

The patient and the doctor have rights and obligations and, given goodwill on both sides, no conflict should arise.

The doctor is required by law, usually common law rather than any set statute, to use due care and skill in dealing with his patients.

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