Legionellosis: Symptoms and Treatment

Legionellosis disease is a type of severe pneumonia caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacteria and was first identified back in 1977.

Risk Factors for Legionellosis

Many health conditions have certain factors that may indicate whether you’re at risk of developing a particular condition, and Legionnaires’ disease is no exception. Some of the most common risk factors for Legionellosis disease include the following:

• You’re over 50 years old,
• You have a weakened immune system.
• You have chronic lung disease.
• You have cancer.
• You smoke cigarettes.

Causes of Legionellosis

Legionellosis disease results from Legionella, a bacteria that invades your lungs and causes pneumonia. Typically, the bacteria live in warm, fresh water, including the following:

• Whirlpool spas
• Hot tubs
• Swimming pools
• Public showers
• Humidifiers
• Fountains
• Lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water

While the bacteria are able to survive outdoors, it’s more likely to multiply in indoor water systems. Typically, you become infected from inhaling contaminated mist or water droplets in the air.

Symptoms of Legionellosis

If you have Legionellosis disease, chances are you’ll begin displaying symptoms within two to 14 days after exposure to Legionella. You may also begin displaying the following common symptoms:

• High fever
• chills
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Confusion

Diagnosis of Legionellosis

If you think you may have Legionellosis, contact your doctor. During your visit, your doctor may collect urine or blood tests to check for Legionella antigens. Additionally, he or she may also collect samples of your sputum, otherwise known as phlegm, to check for the presence of Legionella bacteria. In some cases, your doctor may even order a chest X-ray. While it can’t confirm the presence of Legionellosis, a chest X-ray may help determine the severity of any lung infection you may have.

Treatment of Legionellosis

If you’re diagnosed with Legionellosis, your doctor will prescribe you a course of antibiotic treatments. Speedy treatment is essential to avoid any chances of complications. In most cases, people recover completely with antibiotics. If you’re elderly or have a weakened immune system or any other risk factors, you’re more vulnerable to the effects of Legionellosis disease, meaning you may have to receive oxygen or other types of support at the hospital. For example, you may receive electrolytes and other fluids through an IV to combat dehydration.

Prognosis of Legionellosis

In most cases, the outlook for Legionellosis disease is good as long as you are healthy and receive quick treatment. However, if you are older or suffer from a condition that weakens your immune system, the disease may affect you more severely and prolong the recovery period. Additionally, if you have any of the risk factors associated with Legionellosis disease, you may have an increased risk of developing potentially life-threatening complications.

Complications of Legionellosis

When left untreated, Legionellosis opens you up to a variety of potentially life-threatening complications, including the following:

• Respiratory failure as a result of pneumonia
• Kidney failure
• Septic shock
• Organ failure from septic shock

All of these complications have the ability to set in and progress quickly, depending on your condition.