Each year in the US, an estimated 10,000 to 18,000 people are infected with Legionella bacteria. It’s not uncommon for people with symptoms to be admitted to intensive care straight away. And, while 90% of patients diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease will survive, many will go on to experience a health-related impaired quality of life.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe infection primarily caused by the Legionella species L. pneumophila, which is responsible for 90% of infections. The disease typically presents as pneumonia, and symptoms include:
A recent study of an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the Netherlands described survivors 12 months after the outbreak. 75% were experiencing persistent fatigue, while 66% exhibited neurological and 63% neuromuscular symptoms.
The incubation period for Legionnaires’ disease is 2-10 days from first contact to the appearance of symptoms. Patients often report feeling tired and weak for several days, accompanied by fever which can be in excess of 39°C. Coughing is the first indication of lung infection. And gastrointestinal stomach symptoms are also common, including severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach discomfort.