Legionnaires' disease

How you get Legionnaires' disease

You can catch Legionnaires' disease if you breathe in tiny droplets of water containing bacteria that cause the infection.

It's usually caught in places like hotels, hospitals or offices where the bacteria have got into the water supply. It's very rare to catch it at home.

You can catch it from things like:

• air conditioning systems
• spa pools and hot tubs
• showers, taps and toilets

You cannot usually get it from:

• drinking water containing the bacteria
• other people with the infection
• places like ponds, lakes and rivers

Get advice from 111 now if you have a bad cough and:

• it does not go away
• you cannot breathe properly
• you have severe chest pain
• you have a high temperature or feel hot and shivery
• you feel like you have severe flu

These could be symptoms of Legionnaires' disease.

111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

Other ways to get help

Treatment for Legionnaires' disease

You may need to go into hospital if you're diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease.

Treatment in hospital may include:

• antibiotics directly into a vein
• oxygen through a face mask or tubes in your nose
• a machine to help you breathe

When you start to get better you might be able to take antibiotic tablets at home. Antibiotic treatment usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks.

Most people make a full recovery, but it might take a few weeks to feel back to normal.