How does legionnaires disease start

The ultimate theory was that it was the air conditioning units cooling towers, but because of the lapse in time, this was never completely proven. The identification of the disease did result in the soling of many previous illnesses and deaths from what was previously an unknown disease.

Joseph McDade, a CDC laboratory scientist, using the technique of guinea pig inoculation, was able to isolate the bacterium that caused the disease and identify it as Legionella pneumophila. The source of the epidemic was never determined at the time, but 22 years later, it was shown that survivors of the disease had significantly elevated levels of antibodies to L. In , 81 patients at St.

Analysis of stored serum specimens in showed that a number of patients had the L. The delivery agent was believed to be water from a lawn sprinkling system that was undergoing excavation work. In July , visitors to, and employees of, the Pontiac, Michigan, Health Department developed a relatively mild illness that was called Pontiac Fever. It was determined, then, that the disease was not caused by any known environmental allergens, toxins or viruses.

However, serum from those with Pontiac Fever was also found to contain antibodies to L. Two of those people died. In Spain, an unrecognized epidemic of pneumonia struck at least British tourists who stayed at the Rio Park Hotel in Benidorm, a resort town on the Costa Blanca, between and When you start to get better you might be able to take antibiotic tablets at home.

Antibiotic treatment usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks. Page last reviewed: 22 October Next review due: 22 October Legionnaires' disease.

When you see the doctor, mention any possible exposures to Legionella. Be sure to mention if you used a hot tub, spent any nights away from home, or stayed in a hospital in the last two weeks. Talk to your healthcare professional about your risk of getting sick. You can also encourage owners and managers of the buildings where you live, work and get medical treatment to adopt a Legionella water management program.

Learn more at CDC. This November your donation goes even further to improve lung health and defeat lung cancer. Double Your Gift. Your tax-deductible donation funds lung disease and lung cancer research, new treatments, lung health education, and more. Join over , people who receive the latest news about lung health, including COVID, research, air quality, inspiring stories and resources.

Thank you! 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. Although it's possible to get Legionnaires' disease from home plumbing, most outbreaks have occurred in large buildings, perhaps because complex systems allow the bacteria to grow and spread more easily.