While it sounds like its own condition, Legionnaires' Disease is actually a form of atypical pneumonia. While this disease has cousins like Pittsburgh pneumonia and Pontiac fever, its symptoms and treatment are in a class all its own. Caused by bacteria, this disease was first identified in 1976 at an American Legion convention being held in Philadelphia, with "Legionnaires" taking its name from the American Legion. It all began when a bookkeeper for the organization complained of symptoms and died of what was thought to be a heart attack a few days later, but was actually Legionnaires'. No more than 9 percent of all pneumonia cases transmitted outside of a healthcare setting are due to Legionnaires' disease, with only between 8000 to 18000 people requiring hospitalization every year due to this form of pneumonia.
Causes of Legionnaires' Disease
Legionnaires' disease is caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila. This bacteria thrives in soil and air, thus is transmitted by someone breathing in the bacteria. Legionnaires' disease cannot be transmitted from person to person like other bacterial infections. Legionella pneumophila thrive in warm temperatures or climates, which makes structures like hot water tanks the perfect environment. Other places that this bacteria likes to live include:
- Showers
- Cooling towers
- Evaporative condensers - These are part of air conditioning systems in large buildings like office towers.
- Any outdoor aquatic system like a pond or river
- Icemakers
- Hot tubs - Especially if they aren't cleaned properly.
- Humidifiers
- Fountains
- Windshield wipers
- Potting mix
- Composted food or waste products
Many hotels, cruise ships, and conventions have been the source of Legionnaires' disease outbreaks due to the shared air conditioning system that allows the bacteria to grow and be breathed in by guests or attendees.
Symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease
A bulk of outbreaks reported were in the United States and Europe and mainly occurred in middle aged people, at least symptomatically. Symptoms of Legionnaires' will show up between 2-10 days after being infected. Some of the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include:
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Fever - typically quite a high fever
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
- Coughing- May have mucus or blood in it
- Chest pain
- May cause wound infections in some people
All of these symptoms are the same as Pontiac's fever, except are much more severe and affect your respiratory system. If you have chronic lung or respiratory infection, are over 50, or smoke, you will experience symptoms more intensely than other people who contract Legionnaires'.
Treating Legionnaires' Disease
If you believe that you have been exposed to or have contracted Legionnaires' Disease, go to the doctor right away. Antibiotic treatment needs to be started right away to prevent serious complications from developing. There are several advanced antibiotics that show great promise. These have shown to be effective over traditional antibiotics.
While you're being treated for Legionnaires' disease and even before, it's important to consume plenty of fluids like water or juice. Staying hydrated helps you fight off your infection more effectively. Also, be sure to avoid smoking or consuming alcohol until your condition improves. Legionnaires' cannot be spread from person to person, if you've yet to be diagnosed officially, stay out of work or school in case you have a transmissible respiratory infection. If you have Pontiac fever, the condition will go away on its own and you won't need antibiotic treatment.