Definition |
Causes |
Risk Factors |
Symptoms |
Diagnosis |
Treatment |
Prevention
Definition
Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection. It is a form of
pneumonia. It got its name after it struck at the American Legionnaires Convention in 1976.
Causes
This disease is caused by the bacterium
Legionella pneumophilia
in most cases. The bacteria are most often found in sources of standing water. It may be found in cooling towers, HVAC systems, and air conditioners.
Legionnaires' disease can be contracted by breathing water vapor from a standing water source that contains
Legionella
bacteria.
The infection does not move from one person to another.
Risk Factors
Factors that increase your chance for Legionnaires' disease include:
- Advanced age
- Smoking
- Chronic lung disease
-
Weakened immune system (as with
AIDS)
- Kidney failure
- Diabetes
- Taking cortisone or other immunosuppressive drugs
- Organ transplant patients
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Fever (often high)
- Chills and muscle aches
- Cough
- Headache
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Your doctor may need pictures of your chest. This can be done with a
chest x-ray.
Your doctor may need tests of your bodily fluids. This can be done with:
- Urine tests
- Sputum tests
- Blood tests
Treatment
This disease is usually treated with antibiotics.
If you are diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, follow your doctor's
instructions.
Prevention
Proper design, maintenance, and cleaning of high-risk areas can reduce the risk of spreading the disease. This includes any area with standing water.
Arcavi L, Benowitz NL.
Cigarette smoking and infection.
Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:2206-2216.
Legionellosis resource site. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/legionella/about/index.html. Updated June 1, 2011. Accessed December 31, 2012.
Legionnaires' disease. Occupational Safety & Health Administration website. Available at:
http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/legionnaires/index.html. Accessed December 31, 2012.
Legionnaires' disease. Patient UK website. Available at:
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Legionnaires'-Disease.htm. Accessed December 31, 2012.
Pneumonia in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://dynamed.ebscohost.com. Updated December 5, 2012. Accessed December 31, 2012.
Top 10 things every clinician needs to know about Legionellosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/legionella/clinicians.html. Updated June 1, 2011. Accessed December 31, 2012.
Last reviewed March 2013 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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