Types of Legionnaires' Disease

The Different Types of Legionnaires’ Disease

Legionellosis is the collective term for diseases caused by the Legionella bacteria, of which Legionnaires’ Disease is the most dangerous. Around 90% of cases are caused by the particular strain Legionella Pneumophila, although other types exist including Legionella Longbeachae; first identified in Longbeach California, which can be found in potting compost and contaminated soil, and Legionella Micdadei; named after the man who identified the initial strain; Joseph McDade.

People who are exposed to any of the Legionella bacteria can be likely to go on to develop one of three different illnesses: Pontiac Fever, Lochgoilhead Fever, and Legionnaire’s Disease, although some people exposed to the bacteria do not become ill at all.

Pontiac Fever, named after Pontiac, Michigan where an outbreak in 1968 made several people ill, and Lochgoilhead Fever, named after the Scottish town where there was an outbreak in 1988, are very similar to Legionnaires’ Disease but do not involve pneumonia; the other symptoms are primarily muscle aches, fever and fatigue, similar to the ‘flu. While different strains of the bacteria are responsible for these slightly less dangerous diseases, it is not clear as to why some people develop Legionnaires’ Disease, others develop Pontiac or Lochgoilhead Fever, while others do not become ill.

There is no specific treatment for Pontiac Fever or Lochgoilhead Fever as in most cases they are self-limiting – meaning that they will clear up without medical intervention.

Legionnaire’s Disease is a far more serious illness. It usually develops within between two- and ten-days following exposure to the bacteria and frequently the early symptoms include headache, chills, fever and muscle pain – in many ways similar to Pontiac Fever or a bad case of the ‘flu. The real trouble usually begins on the second or third day when common pneumonia symptoms include a productive cough, chest pain, shortness of breath and gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. In some cases it can have neurological effects such as confusion or irritability. These issues can be caused by the infection, or sometimes due to the blood not receiving sufficient oxygen from the lungs due to the pneumonia. The disease can be treated with antibiotics, but in the elderly and those with compromised immune systems it can be deadly.

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.

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