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This bacteria lives in swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, fountains, and other water systems
Photo Credits: ABC News, Video Hive
Name
Legionnaires’ Disease (the name comes from a 1976 outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia)
Transmission
- A respiratory disease caused by Legionella bacteria
- When the Legionella bacteria infect the lungs and cause pneumonia it is called Legionnaires’ disease
- When the Legionella bacteria cause a less serious infection similar to the flu, it is called Pontiac fever
- The bacteria live in warm, fresh water and people become infected when they breathe in mist or vapor (small droplets of water in the air) containing the bacteria
- Examples include inhaling contaminated droplets from unclean showers, hot tubs, drinking water systems, and decorative fountains
- Typically, the bacteria cannot spread from person to person
Geography
Worldwide
Incubation Period
- 2- 14 days for Legionnaires’ disease
- A few hours to 3 days for Pontiac fever
Signs and Symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other types of pneumonia:
- High fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Tiredness
Pontiac fever shares the same symptoms but is milder and symptoms usually last less than a week
Diagnosis
Laboratory testing of blood, sputum, and urine samples, chest x-rays to confirm lung infection, and lung tissue biopsy
Treatment
Antibiotics can cure the infection
Prognosis
Pontiac fever usually clears on its own, but left untreated, Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal (1 in 10 people will die)
Prevention: What Can You Do?
Maintain, clean, and disinfect water systems in which Legionella grow (pools, spas, drinking water systems, hot tubs, decorative fountains, cooling towers, air-conditioning units for large buildings, etc.)
Legionnaires’ In the News