LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE

Legionnaires’ disease usually develops two to 10 days after exposure to legionella bacteria. It frequently begins with the following signs and symptoms:

• Headache
• Muscle Pain
• Chills
• Fever That May Be 104 F (40 C) or Higher

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

• Cough, Which May Bring Up Mucus and Sometimes Blood
• Shortness of Breath
• Chest Pain
• Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Such as Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea
• Confusion or other Mental Changes

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, may produce signs and symptoms including a fever, chills, headache and muscle aches. Pontiac fever doesn’t infect your lungs, and symptoms usually clear within two to five days.

Diagnosis

Legionnaires’ disease is similar to other types of pneumonia. To diagnose you of the disease, your doctor may use a test that checks your urine for legionella antigens (foreign substances that trigger an immune system response). You may also have one or more of the following:

To help identify the presence of legionella bacteria quickly, your doctor may perform the following:

• Blood tests
• Chest X-ray, which doesn’t confirm legionnaires’ disease but can show the extent of infection in your lungs
• Tests on a sample of your sputum or lung tissue
• A CT scan of your brain or a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) if you have neurological symptoms such as confusion or trouble concentrating

Treatment

Antibiotics are used to treat Legionnaires’ disease. Early therapy may likely less the the chance of serious complications or death. In many cases, treatment requires hospitalization. Pontiac fever goes away on its own without treatment and causes no lingering problems.