What to know about Legionnaires' Disease

By Karen Phillips, RN, Risk Management CoordinatorJuly 8, 2015

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FORT LEE, Va. (July 2, 2015) -- Recently, there was an incident of a Soldier being diagnosed with Legionnaires' Disease after complaining of high fever, cough and shortness of breath.

The care of the individual was a collaborative effort between Kenner Army Health Clinic and an off-post network facility, resulting in a successful outcome.

There were 129 cases of Legionnaires' disease reported in Virginia in 2014 according to the Virginia Department of Public Health.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella. This bacterium is found naturally in the environment. The bacterium grows best in warm water like the kind found in cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems, decorative fountains, or hot tubs to name a few.

Legionnaires' disease isn't communicable from person-to-person contact. Most get it from inhaling the bacteria. Older adults, smokers and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to the disease.

Most people exposed to the bacteria do not become ill. If exposed to the bacteria, talk to a provider. Be sure to mention if you have traveled in the last two weeks.

A person diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in the workplace is not a threat to others who share the office space or other areas.

The disease has symptoms like other forms of pneumonia, so it can be hard to diagnose at first. Symptoms include:

• Cough

• Shortness of Breath

• High fever

• Muscle Aches

• Headaches

Symptoms usually begin 2-14 days after being exposed to the bacteria.

Legionnaires' requires treatment with antibiotics. Healthy people usually get better after being sick with the illness, but hospitalization is often required.

Most people with Legionnaires' experience respiratory infections since this bacterium thrives in the lungs. A provider may request a series of tests to diagnose it.

So, how can this disease be prevented? The best safeguard is regular testing of water systems including drinking water, hot tubs, fountains and cooling towers. Make sure hot tubs have the right disinfectant and PH levels. High water temperatures make it hard to keep disinfectant levels up.

For more information on Legionnaires' disease, visit www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/swimming/resources/legionella-factsheet.pdf.

The preceding information was obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website located at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/about/index.html.