Symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease

What Are The Symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease?

The incubation period for Legionnaires’ Disease is anywhere between two and ten days, although typically around five to six days after exposure to the bacteria. In its early stages the most common symptoms include:

• Headache
• Chills
• A high fever
• Muscle aches and pains

All of these are commonly associated with other illnesses, such as the ‘flu, or even a bad cold, but by the second or third day it is likely that you will develop other, additional symptoms including:

• A cough – sometimes dry, other times productive; i.e. bringing up mucus or even blood
• Shortness of breath, perhaps with difficulty in breathing
• Chest pain – either in the lungs or more generally about your torso
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Renal failure – problems with the kidneys
• Confusion, tiredness and other mental changes

These symptoms most likely illustrate that you are suffering from pneumonia; the most dangerous aspect of Legionnaires’ Disease. At this stage the alveoli – tiny air sacs within the lining of the lungs – become inflamed and filled with fluid, making breathing far less efficient, and sometimes very difficult indeed. Depending on the nature of the infection and the resilience of the sufferer, additional oxygen may be required; either through a tube or possibly involving mechanical assistance.

In addition to the pneumonia, once the bacteria begin to breed within the lungs, they omit a toxin which can add to the problems.

While Legionnaires’ Disease primarily attacks the lungs, it can also go on to affect the kidneys due to an accumulation of fluids and waste within the blood and can even affect the heart of some sufferers. If the infection manages to get into the bloodstream then sepsis can be a major risk factor.

If you find yourself or a loved one presenting any of these symptoms, you should visit your GP as soon as possible, particularly if you have just returned from holiday, a cruise, a stay in hospital or feel in any way that you might be at risk from Legionnaires’ Disease. If diagnosed quickly, antibiotics can be prescribed that can halt the disease from progressing, possibly saving you hospitalisation.

Contact us today for free, no obligation advice regarding your Legionnaires’ Disease claim – either by calling us free on 0800 122 3130, or by requesting a free call back, whereby one of our team will contact you at a time of your choice, to discuss your situation.

We’re here to help – contact us today.