Legionella pneumonia is known as legionnaire’s disease and this is an acute respiratory infection that is caused by the legionella pneumophila bacteria. The bacteria that are responsible for this condition are found in the water delivery systems and these bacteria can survive in warm and moist air conditioning systems. These air conditioning systems are founds in large buildings and hospitals in particular. This condition accounts for around 1 to 8% of all pneumonia cases.

The infection caused by the legionella pneumophila bacteria can be transmitted between persons and through contaminated sources. This germ can spread through air and the germ’s incubation period is of 2 to 10 days following exposure. This infection is commonly observed in middle aged individuals or older people. In some cases legionella pneumonia has also been reported among younger children. This condition is less severe among children The risk factors associated with the development of this condition include cigarette smoking, certain disease like renal failure, obstructive pulmonary disease of chronic nature and diabetes.

Other factors including alcoholism, old age, medicines suppressing the immune system can also increase the risk of getting this infection. The symptoms associated with legionella pneumonia include stiffness and muscle aches, loss of energy, joint pain, headache and fever. Patients may suffer from fever or around 105 degrees F along with chills. Patients may also experience general discomfort, shaking chills and chest pain along with coughing of blood. Altered mental state along with lethargy, confusion and delirium may also be experienced.

Individuals suffering from legionella pneumonia may also experience uneasiness along with diarrhea and ataxia. Patients may cough without presence of sputum initially and later on it may progress to blood streaked or gray sputum. A number of physical exams are performed by a doctor to make a diagnosis of this condition. While using a stethoscope the doctor might hear abnormal sounds and these sounds are called cackles. Some tests that may be conducted for the diagnosis of this condition include chest x-ray, complete blood count and liver function test.

Other tests that may be conducted for diagnosis of legionella pneumonia include arterial blood gas, erythrocyte sedimentation rate along with sputum direct fluorescent antibody test and urine test for detection of bacteria. Antibiotics are prescribed for the treatment of this condition. As soon as this condition is suspected the treatment should be started.

The antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for legionella pneumonia include quinolones such as levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Macrolides like clarithromycin, erythromycin and azithromycin may also be prescribed. Other treatments for this condition include giving oxygen through breathing machine or mask and fluid along with electrolyte replacement. For mild cases of this condition cool mist can be used along with ultrasonic humidifier so as to increase the air moisture and to thin the lung secretions. Chest pain can be relieved through use of heating pad or warm compresses.

Legionella pneumonia can also cause death in some cases. The death rate for those individuals who develop this condition in the hospital is almost 50% and this is particularly prevalent where the antibiotic regime is started late. Possible complications that may occur in this condition include lung failure and death.