Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. The bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made building water systems like.
Home and car air-conditioning units do not use water to cool the air, so they are not a risk for Legionella growth. Learn four key steps that can lead to Legionella growing in building water systems and spreading to people. After Legionella grows and multiplies in a building water system, water containing Legionella can spread in droplets small enough for people to breathe in.
Less commonly, people can get sick by aspiration of drinking water containing Legionella. This happens when water accidently goes into the lungs while drinking. People at increased risk of aspiration include those with swallowing difficulties.
Most people catch Legionnaires' disease by inhaling the bacteria from water or soil. Older adults, smokers and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to Legionnaires' disease.
The legionella bacterium also causes Pontiac fever, a milder illness resembling the flu. Pontiac fever usually clears on its own, but untreated Legionnaires' disease can be fatal.
Although prompt treatment with antibiotics usually cures Legionnaires' disease, some people continue to have problems after treatment.
Legionnaires' disease usually develops two to 10 days after exposure to legionella bacteria. It frequently begins with the following signs and symptoms:. 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 — can produce fever, chills, headache and muscle aches. Pontiac fever doesn't infect your lungs, and symptoms usually clear within two to five days. See your doctor if you think you've been exposed to legionella bacteria. Diagnosing and treating Legionnaires' disease as soon as possible can help shorten the recovery period and prevent serious complications.
For people at high risk, such as smokers or older adults, prompt treatment is critical. The bacterium Legionella pneumophila is responsible for most cases of Legionnaires' disease. Outdoors, legionella bacteria survive in soil and water, but rarely cause infections. However, legionella bacteria can multiply in water systems made by humans, such as air conditioners.
Legionella have been isolated from many sources including: ice machines hot water systems air-conditioning cooling towers hot and cold water taps showers nebulisers spa baths and spa pools hydrotherapy pools ornamental fountains home birthing pools.
Symptoms may include: fever cough chest pain breathlessness diarrhoea. Risk of infection is increased by: smoking chronic heart or lung disease diabetes kidney failure some forms of cancer immunosuppression, especially if on steroid medication being 50 years or older.
Diagnosis of Legionella pneumophila infection Diagnosis is usually made by a series of blood tests. Incubation period time between becoming infected and developing symptoms 2 to 10 days, though may be longer.
Infectious period time during which an infected person can infect others Person-to-person spread does not occur. Treatment for Legionella pneumophila infection Antibiotic treatment is required. Prevention of Legionella pneumophila infection Exclusion from childcare, preschool, school or work is not necessary. Maintenance of water systems. Water systems which can serve as a route of infection include: ice machines hot water systems air-conditioning cooling towers hot and cold water taps showers nebulisers spa baths and spa pools hydrotherapy pools ornamental fountains.
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