Legionellosis natural history, complications and prognosis
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Natural History
In Legionnaires' disease the symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria. They tend to get worse during the first 4 - 6 days. They typically improve in another 4 - 5 days.
The time between the patient’s exposure to the bacterium and the onset of illness for Pontiac Fever is shorter, generally a few hours to 2 days. The symptoms usually last for 2 to 5 days. Symptoms go away on their own without treatment and without causing further problems.
Complications
Complications that can develop as a result of Legionellosis:
- Empyema
- Emphysema
- Lung failure
- Brain failure
- Renal failure
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Multiorgan failure
- Death
Prognosis
Death occurs in 10%-15% of LD cases: a substantially higher proportion of fatal cases occur during nosocomial outbreaks. Pontiac fever is a self-limited disease that requires no treatment.
References