What is Legionnaires' disease?

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia - lung inflammation usually caused by infection.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by a bacterium known as legionella.

You can't catch legionnaires' disease from person-to-person contact. Instead, most people get legionnaires' disease from inhaling the bacteria.

Legionella bacterium can also cause Pontiac fever, a milder illness resembling the flu.

Outdoors, Legionella bacteria survive in soil and water and rarely cause infections.

Indoors, Legionella bacteria multiply in water systems such as air conditioners, hot tubs, etc.
(Source: Mayo Clinic)



-Muscle pain
-High fever

Within a couple of days, other symptoms may develop:
-Cough (may sometimes bring up mucus or blood)
-Shortness of breath
-Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

-Chest pain
-Loss of appetite



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