Learn About Legionnaire Disease

What is the definition of Legionnaire Disease?

Legionnaires disease is an infection of the lungs and airways. It is caused by Legionella bacteria.

What are the alternative names for Legionnaire Disease?

Legionella pneumonia; Pontiac fever; Legionellosis; Legionella pneumophila; Legionnaires' disease

What are the causes of Legionnaire Disease?

The bacteria that cause Legionnaires disease have been found in water delivery systems. They can survive in the warm, moist air conditioning systems of large buildings, including hospitals.

Most cases are caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila. The rest of the cases are caused by other Legionella species.

Spread of the bacteria from person to person has not been proven.

Most infections occur in middle-aged or older people. In rare cases, children can get the infection. When they do, the disease is less severe.

Risk factors include:

  • Alcohol use
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Chronic illnesses, such as kidney failure or diabetes
  • Long-term (chronic) lung disease, such as COPD
  • Long-term use of a breathing machine (ventilator)
  • Medicines that suppress the immune system, including chemotherapy and steroid drugs
  • Older age
What are the symptoms of Legionnaire Disease?

Symptoms tend to get worse during the first 4 to 6 days. They most often improve in another 4 to 5 days.

Symptoms may include:

  • General discomfort, loss of energy, or ill feeling (malaise)
  • Headache
  • Fever, shaking chills
  • Joint pain, muscle aches and stiffness
  • Chest pain
  • Cough that does not produce much sputum or mucus (dry cough)
  • Coughing up blood (rare)
  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
  • Shortness of breath
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What are the current treatments for Legionnaire Disease?

Antibiotics are used to fight the infection. Treatment is started as soon as Legionnaire disease is suspected, without waiting for results of any lab test.

Other treatments may include receiving:

  • Fluids through a vein (IV)
  • Oxygen, which is given through a mask or breathing machine
  • Medicines that are breathed in to ease breathing
Who are the top Legionnaire Disease Local Doctors?
Burke A. Cunha
Infectious Disease
Infectious Disease
222 Station Plz N, Suite 432, 
Mineola, NY 
Languages Spoken:
English

Burke Cunha is an Infectious Disease provider in Mineola, New York. Dr. Cunha and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Legionnaire Disease. His top areas of expertise are Legionnaire Disease, Pneumonia, Mononucleosis, and Flu.

Paris, FR 

Carmen Buchrieser practices in Paris, France. Buchrieser and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Legionnaire Disease. Her top areas of expertise are Legionnaire Disease, Pneumonia, Streptococcal Group B Infection, and Chlamydia.

 
 
 
 
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2 Riccarton Avenue, 
Christchurch, CAN, NZ 

David Murdoch practices in Christchurch, New Zealand. Murdoch and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Legionnaire Disease. His top areas of expertise are Pneumonia, Legionnaire Disease, Strep Throat, and H Influenzae Meningitis.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Legionnaire Disease?

Legionnaires disease can be life threatening. The risk of dying is higher in people who:

  • Have long-term (chronic) diseases or compromised immune systems
  • Become infected while in the hospital
  • Are older adults
When should I contact a medical professional for Legionnaire Disease?

Contact your provider right away if you have any type of breathing problem and think you have symptoms of Legionnaires disease.

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Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: January 22, 2023
Published By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 01/19/2024.

What are the references for this article ?

Edelstein PH, Roy CR. Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 232.

Marrie TJ. Legionella infections. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 298.