Legionnaires’ Disease

You can catch Legionnaires’ Disease by breathing in water droplets or airborne liquid droplets that are contaminated by the bacteria. Legionnaires’ Disease cannot be caught from other people or from animal contact. The most common bacteria species associated with causing human disease in Australia is Legionella Pneumophila and Legionella Longbeachae. Legionella Pneumophila is found in warm water environments such as;
  • Air conditioning cooling towers in large buildings
  • Showers and hot water systems
  • Spa pools
  • Misting or droplet sprays
  • Water fountains

It usually takes 2 to 10 days after exposure for Legionnaires’ Disease to develop. In most cases symptoms appear after 5 to 6 days.

The early symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease are typically similar to severe ‘flu-like’ illness, and may include;

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle soreness
  • Haches
  • Tiredness
  • Reduced appetite
  • Dry cough and shortness of breath

Sometimes other parts of the body are affected, which can lead to;

  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Mental confusion
  • Kidney failure

People who are more likely to contract Legionnaires’ Disease include;

  • People over 50 years of age
  • Smokers
  • People with chronic health conditions such as lung disease, diabetes and kidney disease
  • People with weakened immune systems.
  • Men are also more commonly affected than women.

Most people who are diagnosed with Legionnaires’ Disease will need to be treated with antibiotics such as erythromycin and ciprofloxacin.

Most patients who receive early antibiotic treatment begin to improve within 3 to 5 days but usually require treatment for 10 to 14 days.

If you experience any of these symptoms and you are concerned, see your health care professional.