Legionnaire Disease: Symptoms, Causes and treatment

Table of Content

• What is Legionnaires disease?

• Causes of Legionnaires disease

• Risks of Legionnaires disease

• Signs and symptoms of Legionnaires disease

• Diagnosis of Legionnaires disease

• How can I prevent Legionnaires' disease?

• How is Legionnaires' disease treated?

• What are the complications of Legionnaires' disease?

• Take-Home Points

• FAQ on Legionnaire Disease

What is Legionnaires disease?

You must be knowing about pneumonia, a common lung infection which causes inflammation of the lung tissue due to infection. One of the causes of pneumonia is a bacterium known as Legionella pneumophila. 

Legionella pneumophila, is an aerobic bacteria which was first identified in 1979 is an outbreak in America which causes the Legionnaires disease. This type of pneumonia is known as Pneumonic form of Legionnaires disease. It is a serious illness that can be fatal, especially in older adults and people with underlying medical conditions.

Pontiac fever, a non-pneumonic infection caused by the same bacterium,  is a less severe condition similar to the flu, which is also brought on by the legionella bacterium. Pontiac fever typically goes away on its own, but Legionnaires' disease can be lethal if left untreated. Even while Legionnaires' illness can typically be cured with rapid antibiotic therapy, some patients still experience complications. Today we will tell you more about this bacterial infection in this article.

Causes of Legionnaires disease

Legionnaires disease is caused by Legionella pneumophila which  is an aerobic bacteria. This means the Legionella bacteria can survive in the presence of air. The bacteria thrives in warm water environments like air conditioning systems, hot tubs, and cooling towers. From there the Legionella bacteria spread through the air when water droplets containing the bacteria are released into the atmosphere. People can get infected with Legionella pneumophila bacteria by inhaling contaminated water droplets.

This could be water from a huge building's ventilation system or the spray from a shower, tap or whirlpool. Emergencies have been connected to:

• Hot tubs

• Air conditioning system cooling towers

• Heaters and hot water tanks

• Artistic fountains

• Drinking fountains

• Childbirth pools

• Public showers 

The virus can also spread through other means besides inhaling water droplets, such as:

• Aspiration - This happens when you drink unintentionally and cough or choke, which causes liquids to enter your lungs. You may contract Legionnaires' disease if you aspirate water contaminated with legionella bacteria.

• Soil -  A few persons who worked in gardens or used contaminated potting soil eventually developed Legionnaires' disease.

Risks of Legionnaires disease

Not everybody who comes into contact with the legionella bacteria gets sick. You have a higher chance of getting the infection if you:

• Smoke - Smoking affects the lungs, increasing your risk for developing any kind of lung infection.

• Have a compromised immune system - HIV/AIDS, as well as several medications, particularly corticosteroids and those used to prevent organ rejection following a transplant can reduce your immunity and thus increase the chances of infection.

• Have a major illness, such as chronic lung disease. Emphysema, diabetes, kidney illness, and cancer are examples of this.

• Are at least 50 years old.

In hospitals and nursing homes, where germs can spread quickly and residents are more prone to illness, legionnaires' disease can be a problem.

Signs and symptoms of Legionnaires disease

The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease usually start 2-10 days after exposure to the bacteria. The signs and symptoms of the disease are similar to those of pneumonia and can range from mild to severe. Some of the common symptoms include:

It frequently begins with the following signs and symptoms:

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• Fever that may be 104 F (40 C) or higher

• Chills 

• Fatigue

By the second or third day, you'll develop other signs and symptoms that can include:

• Cough, which might be associated with mucus and occasionally blood

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

• Confusion or other mental changes

• Fatigue

Although the lungs are the main organs affected by Legionnaires' disease, the heart and other organs can also become infected on rare occasions.

Pontiac fever, a minor variant of Legionnaires' disease, can include fever, chills, headaches, and muscle aches. Your lungs are not infected with pontiac fever, and symptoms normally go away in two to five days.

Diagnosis of Legionnaires disease

Since the symptoms of Legionnaires disease are similar to those of other respiratory disorders, diagnosing it can be difficult. Laboratory tests are used by healthcare practitioners to validate the diagnosis. These tests can include:

• Routine blood examination

• Direct fluorescent antibody staining

• Sputum culture tests, which locate the bacteria in the lungs

• Urine antigen tests, which find Legionella bacteria in urine samples

• Liver function test

• Serum electrolytes level

• Arterial blood gas

• Blood oxygen saturation 

• Chest X-ray 

How can I prevent Legionnaires' disease?

There are a few things you can do to help prevent Legionnaires' disease:

• Avoid swimming in or using hot tubs that are not properly chlorinated.

• Avoid showering in hot water that is not properly heated.

• Avoid visiting buildings with known Legionnaires' disease outbreaks.

• If you are at high risk for Legionnaires' disease, talk to your doctor about taking antibiotics as a preventive measure.

How is Legionnaires' disease treated?

Legionnaires disease is a serious condition that needs to be treated right away with antibiotics. Depending on the severity of the infection, medical professionals may prescribe a mix of antibiotics. 

Serious Legionnaire's disease sufferers might need to be hospitalized, where they can have intravenous fluids and breathing assistance. A treatment course can be anywhere between 7 to 14 days long, but for a severely compromised patient, the treatment can last for about 3 weeks. 

What are the complications of Legionnaires' disease?

Serious complications of Legionnaires' disease can include:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

• Heart failure

• Kidney failure

• Stroke

• Death

Take-Home Points

Most people who get Legionnaires' disease recover completely. However, the disease can be fatal, especially in older adults and people with underlying medical conditions.

If you have any of the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease, it is important to see a doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for a good outcome.