Legionnaires Disease – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Doctors look for signs of legionellosis by checking symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue, headache, confusion, and shortness of breath. Tests often include:
| Test | What it Checks |
|---|---|
| Urinary antigen test | Finds legionella antigens in urine |
| Blood test | Looks for infection in the blood |
| Chest X-ray | Shows lung infection areas |
| Sputum or lung tissue test | Detects bacteria in lung samples |
Laboratory tests help confirm if legionella bacteria cause the infection, especially during outbreaks or when the clinical features are unclear.
Treatment
Doctors use antibiotic treatment as the main approach for Legionnaires’ disease, which is a type of severe pneumonia. They commonly prescribe macrolide antibiotics or respiratory fluoroquinolones to fight the infection.
People with serious symptoms or complications like respiratory failure often need care in the hospital. Treatment may also include oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and fever management.
Recovery can take time, and some people may continue to feel tired or weak for several weeks. Follow-up visits may be needed to check lung health and make sure the infection is fully cleared.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps You Can Take Before Seeing the Doctor
Preparing before a healthcare visit can help make things go smoothly. Use the following table to collect information:
| Item to Prepare | Details |
|---|---|
| Notes on symptoms | When they started, severity, and changes |
| Recent travel and stays | Hospitals, hotels, or exposure to water systems like hot tubs, whirlpool spas, or water tanks |
| List of medications and supplements | Include doses and frequency |
| Medical history and existing conditions | Chronic lung disease, cancer, or recent treatments in healthcare facilities |
| Questions for the healthcare provider | Main symptoms, possible causes, required tests, and treatment options |
It helps to bring a family member or friend, especially if there may be a lot of information discussed. Some useful questions could include:
- What might be causing my symptoms?
- Are there other possible causes, like environmental factors, such as water quality or old water heaters?
- What tests will help confirm the cause, and are environmental tests for Legionella needed?
- How might chronic illnesses affect this disease?
- Is a hospital stay necessary, and if so, for how long?
What the Healthcare Provider Will Want to Know
The doctor or nurse will likely ask questions to learn more about the illness and risks. Common topics include:
- How long have the symptoms lasted?
- Have there been changes in the symptoms’ intensity?
- What things help or worsen the symptoms?
- Has the patient been exposed to possible risk factors like humidifiers, whirlpool spas, or recently stayed in healthcare facilities or places with large water systems?
Knowing age and past health issues (like lung disease or cancer) also helps the provider assess risk.
The provider may ask about recent visits to the American Legion, public pools, or any use of water devices that may be linked to Legionnaires’ disease.
Actions to Take While Waiting for Your Appointment
You can take steps to prevent symptoms from getting worse before seeing a doctor. These include:
- Avoid smoking or secondhand smoke, as it raises the risk for severe lung infections.
- Do not drink alcohol since it can worsen the illness.
- Stay home from work or school to rest and recover.
- Drink extra fluids to stay hydrated.
If your breathing becomes more difficult or other symptoms get worse before the appointment, seek urgent or emergency care.
