Legionnaires’ disease
Legionnaires’ disease
Legionnaires' disease is a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella bacteria. It spreads when someone breathes in tiny water droplets carrying the bacteria, which can come from sources like hot tubs or air conditioning systems.
It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it can make you quite seriously ill.
Common Symptoms
Emergency Warning Signs
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
- you have severe difficulty breathing – for example, you struggle to speak without pausing, gasping or choking
- you have severe chest pain in the middle of your chest that isn’t going away – it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing
- you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw
- you feel more drowsy than usual or find it more difficult to wake up
- your lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin this is easier to see on the palms of your hands
Speak to your GP practice urgently if:
You have symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, like:
- a cough that’s lasted more than 3 weeks
- coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- chest pain that happens when breathing in or coughing
- feeling short of breath
If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
You should tell your GP or healthcare professional where you’ve been in the last 10 days. This can include a hotel, spa or hospital.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
- you have severe difficulty breathing – for example, you struggle to speak without pausing, gasping or choking
- you have severe chest pain in the middle of your chest that isn’t going away – it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing
- you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw
- you feel more drowsy than usual or find it more difficult to wake up
- your lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin this is easier to see on the palms of your hands
Speak to your GP practice urgently if:
You have symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, like:
- a cough that’s lasted more than 3 weeks
- coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- chest pain that happens when breathing in or coughing
- feeling short of breath
If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
You should tell your GP or healthcare professional where you’ve been in the last 10 days. This can include a hotel, spa or hospital.
Causes
What causes Legionnaires’ disease
Legionella bacteria can grow in natural or artificial environments that have a water supply.
Another type of Legionella bacteria, called Legionella longbeachae, can also cause the infection. This type of bacteria is less common. It can grow in potted compost and soil.
Don’t include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions.
Treatment
If you're diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, you may need to be admitted to hospital. Treatment there can include:
- antibiotics given directly into a vein (intravenous)
- oxygen through a face mask or through small tubes placed in your nose
- a breathing machine to support you, if needed
Once you start feeling better, your doctor may switch you to antibiotic tablets that you can continue taking at home. The full course of antibiotics usually runs for 1 to 3 weeks.
Most people recover completely, though it can take a few weeks before you feel fully like yourself again.
How Legionnaires' disease spreads
You catch Legionnaires' disease by breathing in tiny water droplets that carry the bacteria responsible for the infection.
The bacteria are usually found in places such as hotels, hospitals, or office buildings, where they have contaminated the water supply. Catching the infection at home is much less common.
You can pick up Legionnaires' disease from sources such as:
- air conditioning systems
- humidifiers
- spa pools and hot tubs
- taps and showers that aren't used regularly
You generally cannot catch it from:
- drinking water that contains the bacteria
- ponds, lakes, or rivers
Legionnaires' disease does not spread from one person to another.