What is legionnaires’ disease?

5 December 2023

It is a serious lung infection caused by the bacteria called legionella, which causes inflammation in the lungs that can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

Legionella is a common bacteria that is normally found in soil and water, so it is easy to come into contact with it, which does not necessarily mean that you will contract Legionnaires’ disease, since only people with a depressed immune system, addicted to tobacco, or older adults, are at greater risk of contracting this disease.

Legionnaires’ disease spreads by inhaling contaminated water droplets in:

Jacuzzis.
Swimming pools.
Fountains.
Bathtubs.
Contaminated water tanks.
Water heaters.
Air Conditioning.

Among the potential risks identified for developing this condition are:

Being an older adult.
Smoking.
People with a depressed immune system, such as those with HIV/AIDS.
Diabetes.
Cancer.
Pulmonary emphysema.
Kidney problems.

Signs and symptoms Legionnaires’ disease

Headache.
Muscle pain.
Fever of 40ºC or higher.
Coughing fits with phlegm and blood.
Trouble breathing.
Sore chest.
Nausea.
Vomit.
Diarrhea.
Mental alterations.

Legionnaires’ disease possible complications can be respiratory and kidney failure, as well as septic shock with fatal consequences.

Diagnosis and treatment Legionnaires’ disease

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request a series of tests to rule out other lung pathologies and confirm the diagnosis, such as blood and urine tests, x-rays, computed tomography, lumbar puncture, and sputum sample analysis.

The treatment to be followed is based on the intensive use of antibiotics, so therapy in a hospital will probably be needed. Serious complications are unlikely when Legionnaires’ disease is diagnosed and treated early.

In ABC Medical Center Internal Medicine Department, we provide you with health care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological conditions, both chronic-degenerative and acute, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Legionnaires’ disease

Internal Medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

topdoctors.es
cun.es
elsevier.es
middlesexhealth.org
msdmanuals.com
medlineplus.gov
mayoclinic.org
medigraphic.com
Gea-Izquierdo E. Legionelosis. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr. 2014;30(4):509-514.
Manzanares LGL, Montiel BNM, del Real SSGME, et al. Detección de Legionella pneumophila en los sistemas de agua de la Facultad de Odontología de la UAEM. Rev ADM. 2014;71(5):216-220.
García MM, González SN, Franco VH, et al. Evaluación de la viabilidad de Legionella pneumophila en muestras de agua. Rev Cubana Med Trop. 2019;71(2):1-9.
Molina EE. Contaminantes biológicos del aire interior de la vivienda: factores contribuyentes, afecciones relacionadas y medidas correctivas. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol. 2015;53(1):.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is legionnaires’ disease?

Signs and symptoms Legionnaires’ disease

Diagnosis and treatment Legionnaires’ disease

Related centers and departments Legionnaires’ disease

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Legionnaires’ disease