The man-made water systems most susceptible to Legionella spread include:Legionella bacteria become airborne in tiny droplets of water rising from these water systems. When certain man-made water structures aren’t maintained with proper disinfectants, the bacteria can grow and cause a health risk. It is not uncommon for patients with Legionnaires' disease to be admitted to the intensive care unit. Symptoms and signs include. If you have Legionnaires’ disease, you may experience: Coughing Dyspnea, or shortness of breath Chills Fever or muscle aches Headache Nausea or diarrhea Confusion We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Legionnaires’ disease can be deadly and may have severe complications, like A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. In many cases, treatment requires hospitalization. Diagnosing and treating Legionnaires' disease as soon as possible can help shorten the recovery period and prevent serious complications.
Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reservedWhy Medical Doctors Use Cultures for Infectious Disease DiagnosisThe Little-Known But Serious Risk of Adventure RacingDifferent Types of Parasites You Should Be Aware Of Between 10,000 and 18,000 people in the United States develop Legionnaires’ disease each year by breathing in water vapor or mist containing It is a type of bacterium found naturally in air conditioning units, plumbing systems, water features and water fountains. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Legionnaires ’ Disease is a severe form of pneumonia that sickens about 5,000 people in the U.S. each year. These tests are done occasionally but not commonly. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. CDC twenty four seven. This happens when water accidently goes into the lungs while drinking. Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia — lung inflammation usually caused by infection. Sometimes, symptoms may show up 2 weeks after exposure.Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/19/2018. It’s a type of pneumonia (a lung infection) that can become life-threatening. L. pneumophila is responsible for causing Legionellosis, or Legionnaires’ disease, a specialized type of pneumonia that causes high fever, chills, aches, coughing, and other symptoms. This might be from the spray from a shower, faucet or whirlpool, or water from the ventilation system in a large building. Legionnaires' disease is treated with antibiotics. Symptoms usually begin 2 to 10 days after being exposed to the bacteria, but it can take longer so people should watch for symptoms for about 2 weeks after exposure. Even though chest X-rays are not used to directly diagnose Legionnaires’, they are used to diagnose pneumonia, after which doctors can look for the specific bacterial or viral cause.
It most commonly occurs in structures with complex water systems, like hotels, hospitals, and cruise ships, and spreads through hot tubs, air conditioning units, hot water tanks, plumbing systems, and fountains within these structures. The easiest way to protect yourself is keeping your lungs healthy by avoiding smoking and wearing a protective face mask if you’re in contact with large-scale water systems for work. It frequently begins with the following signs and symptoms:By the second or third day, you'll develop other signs and symptoms that can include:Although Legionnaires' disease primarily affects the lungs, it occasionally can cause infections in wounds and in other parts of the body, including the heart.A mild form of Legionnaires' disease — known as Pontiac fever — can produce fever, chills, headache and muscle aches. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. You're more likely to develop the infection if you:Legionnaires' disease can be a problem in hospitals and nursing homes, where germs can spread easily and people are vulnerable to infection.Legionnaires' disease can lead to a number of life-threatening complications, including:When not treated promptly, Legionnaires' disease can be fatal.Outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease are preventable, but prevention requires water management systems in buildings that ensure that water is monitored and cleaned regularly.Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
All rights reserved. Read our Causes.
It’s caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. The mist may come from hot tubs, showers, or air-conditioning units for large buildings.
It’s important to note that early detection and diagnosis can increase the success rate of Legionnaires’ treatment, shorten the recovery period, and help prevent serious, long-term complications. Be sure to mention if you spent any nights away from home in the last 14 days.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People can get Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contain the bacteria.