Legionnaires Disease

Overview

Definition

Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection. It is a form of pneumonia. It got its name from an outbreak at the American Legionnaires Convention in 1976.

Causes

This disease is caused by specific bacteria. 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 the bacteria.

The Lungs
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The infection does not move from one person to another.

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your chance of Legionnaires' disease include:

  • Advanced age
  • Smoking
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Weakened immune system
  • Kidney failure
  • Diabetes
  • Taking cortisone or other immunosuppressive drugs
  • History of organ transplant

SymptomsandDiagnosis

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

Treatments

Treatment

This disease is usually treated with antibiotics.

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.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Denver Health.

a (Legionnaires' Pneumonia)

RESOURCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov 

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences http://www.niehs.nih.gov 

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Capital Health Nova Scotia http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca 

Manitoba Health http://www.gov.mb.ca 

References

Arcavi L, Benowitz NL. Cigarette smoking and infection. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(20):2206-2216.

Community-acquired pneumonia in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:  http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115170/Community-acquired-pneumonia-in-adults . Updated August 15, 2016. Accessed September 28, 2016.

Legionnaires' disease. Occupational Safety and Health Administration website. Available at: https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/legionnaires/index.html. Accessed December 31, 2012.

Legionnaires' disease. Patient UK website. Available at: http://patient.info/health/legionnaires-disease-leaflet. Accessed December 31, 2012.

Legionella infections. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:  http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T904756/Legionella-infections . Updated May 20, 2016. Accessed September 28, 2016.

Legionella (Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever). 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.

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.