How To Prevent And Treat Legionnaires' Disease

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that develops in an individual when they inhale the Legionella bacteria into their lungs. Legionnaires' disease is also commonly referred to as Pontiac disease. The Legionella bacteria can multiply out of control in lakes, rivers, and other freshwater sources where the temperature sits between 68 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Legionnaires' disease develops when small droplets of this contaminated source of water enter an individual's lungs. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include a fever up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, a cough, headaches, agitation, chills, muscle aches, confusion, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and chest pain. The diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease is made with the use of a urine test, blood tests, lumbar puncture, and diagnostic imaging scans.