How long does legionella last

Symptoms generally resolve within a week. Legionella infection most often affects the lungs and airways. However, in very rare cases, the infection can occur outside the respiratory tract. Good to know: Extrapulmonary Legionella infection is rare. However, when it does occur, it can manifest either as a complication of pneumonia or independently of pneumonia.

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have contracted Legionella infection, always contact a doctor. The free Ada app can also be used to carry out a symptom assessment. The most common cause of Legionella infection in humans is a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila. Legionella pneumophila is the cause of approximately 70 to 90 percent of Legionella infections in adults. Transmission of Legionella infection usually occurs when a person breathes in airborne water droplets that are contaminated with Legionella bacteria.

Good to know: It is not known precisely what concentration of Legionella bacteria is necessary to cause illness. However, it is believed that high-risk people may develop Legionella infection after relatively limited amounts of exposure. Legionella pneumophila is often found in bodies of freshwater, such as rivers, lakes and streams.

Hospitals, large hotels, museums and office blocks often have large and complex water supply systems where Legionella pneumophila can spread quickly. Because the bacterium commonly dwells in specific locations, it is prone to causing outbreaks. Good to know: Home and car air conditioning units usually do not use water to cool the air, meaning they are not typical sites for Legionella bacteria. Generally, it is large or industrial-level air conditioning units that use cooling towers containing water and therefore are at higher risk for Legionella growth.

Legionella infection is much less common in children, and the risk factors for children are less well defined than they are for adults. Good to know: Risk factors not only increase the chances of a person developing Legionella infection, but some may also increase the severity of the condition. If Legionella infection is suspected, contact a doctor immediately. Because Legionella bacteria often dwell in specific locations, the person may be asked whether they have been near high-risk areas, such as hot tubs or cooling towers.

However, it is not able to distinguish Legionella pneumonia from other types of pneumonia. Urinary antigen testing may be suggested if PCR testing is not available or a lower respiratory tract sample cannot be obtained.

Urinary antigen testing is fast and sensitive, however, it can only detect Legionella pneumophila. Good to know: Testing for Legionella infection is generally recommended for anyone with severe pneumonia that has been acquired outside of a healthcare setting, also known as community-acquired pneumonia CAP. People with nonsevere CAP may also be recommended for testing if they have specific risk factors or are believed to have been exposed to Legionella bacteria.

You can also use the Ada app to carry out a free symptom assessment. Go to Tell the GP where you have been in the past 10 days, such as if you stayed in a hotel, spa or hospital. If you have a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, it could be COVID 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 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.

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Back to Each Breath Blog. Other factors that can increase your risk include: Fortunately, most healthy people do not get Legionnaires' disease after being exposed. Certain people are at increased risk for Legionnaires' disease.