Legionellosis history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Legionellosis may present with either Legionnaires' disease or Pontiac Fever. Legionnaires' disease is more severe and typically manifests with symptoms of pneumonia (fever, dyspnea, chest pain, and cough) whereas Pontiac fever is a milder form of respiratory disease (fever and cough) but does not result in pneumonia. Patients with legionellosis often report a recent history of travel, hospitalization, or exposure to healthcare settings.
History
- Legionnaires' disease typically manifests with pneumonia, which usually requires hospitalization and can be fatal in 10%–15% of cases.[1]
- In contrast, clinical manifestations of Pontiac fever are milder than Legionnaires’ disease. Pontiac fever typically manifests with influenza-like illness (fever, headache, and myalgias) but no signs of pneumonia. Pontiac fever can affect healthy people, as well as those with underlying illnesses, and symptoms occur within 72 hours of exposure.
- Approximately 15%-20% of patients report a recent history of travel.
- Patients often report recent hospitalizations and exposure to healthcare settings.
Symptoms
Symptoms of legionellosis may include:
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Fever
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Lack of coordination (ataxia)
- Loss of energy (fatigue)
- Muscle aches and stiffness
- Nonproductive cough
- Shaking chills
- Shortness of breath
References
- ↑ Phin N, Parry-Ford F, Harrison T, Stagg HR, Zhang N, Kumar K; et al. (2014). "Epidemiology and clinical management of Legionnaires' disease". Lancet Infect Dis. 14 (10): 1011–21. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(14)70713-3. PMID 24970283.