Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Legionella pneumonia; Pontiac fever
Treatment
Antibiotics are used to fight the infection. Treatment is started as soon as Legionnaire's disease is suspected, without waiting for confirmation by lab test.
Antibiotics commonly used to treat this condition include:
- Quinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, or gatifloxacin)
- Macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin, or erythromycin)
Other treatments may include:
- Fluid and
electrolyte replacement - Oxygen (given through a mask or breathing machine)
Support Groups
Expectations (prognosis)
Legionnaire's disease can be life-threatening. The death rate is higher in patients with other diseases. The death rate for patients who develop Legionnaire's disease while in the hospital is close to 50%, especially when antibiotics are started late.
Complications
- Lung failure
- Death
Calling your health care provider
Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have any type of breathing problem.
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Review Date: 02/19/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of
Medicine; and Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of
Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
