Symptoms
- initial symptoms include malaise, headache, myalgias, fever, chills and cough.
- fever rises rapidly within 1 day and may precede the development of pulmonary symptoms.
- changes in mental status may occur in 25 to 75% of patients.
- complications include renal failure, lung abscesses and extrapulmonary infection.
Infectious agent
- Legionella pneumophila, a bacterium
Mode of transmission
- aerosol transmission via aerosol-producing devices (especially air cooling systems).
- person to person transmissions have not been documented.
Distribution
- documented as an important cause of pneumonia in N. America, Europe, Asia & Australia.
- also identified in S. America and Africa.
Incubation period
Treament
Thanks to the World Health Organisation
for much of this information.
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bravenet.com
