Legionnaire’s Disease

Legionnaires’ Disease Latest News

A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak has prompted a health alert in Sydney’s central business district recently, with authorities urging people to remain vigilant for symptoms.

About Legionnaires’ Disease

• It is a severe form of a lung infection (pneumonia) caused by a bacterium known as legionella.
• The disease got its name when a group of people at an American Legion convention became ill with this type of pneumonia in 1976.

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Legionnaires’ Disease Transmission

• Legionella is found naturally in freshwater, such as lakes and rivers. It can also be found in soil. 
• Most people who catch Legionnaires’ disease breathe in the bacteria from water or soil. 
• You usually can’t get infected by drinking water that contains the bacteria unless you aspirate it (accidentally breathe the water into your lungs).
• It is not contagious, meaning it is not spread from person to person.
• Older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and people who smoke have a higher risk of getting Legionnaires’ disease.

Legionnaires’ Disease Symptoms

• Legionnaires’ disease causes pneumonia-like symptoms that start two to 14 days after exposure to Legionella. 
• Patients usually present with fever, cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, and may have gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea. 
• In severe cases, neurological symptoms (e.g., confusion) and respiratory failure may occur, and some cases may result in death.

Legionnaires’ Disease Treatment

• Treating right away with antibiotics most often cures Legionnaires’ disease.
• But some people still have problems after treatment.
• Currently, there is no vaccine available for LD.

Source: ET