Legionnaires ’Disease

Legionnaires ’disease is a form of atypical pneumonia caused by any type of Legionella bacteria. The bacterium is found naturally in fresh water.^[4] It can contaminate hot water tanks, hot tubs, and cooling towers of large air conditioners.^[4] It is usually spread by breathing in mist that contains the bacteria.^[4] It can also occur when contaminated water is aspirated.^[4] It typically does not spread directly between people and most people who are exposed do not become infected.^[4] Risk factors for infection include older age, history of smoking, chronic lung disease, and poor immune function.^[5] There is still a low level of clinical awareness regarding Legionnaires ’disease 25 years after it was first detected.