5 red flag signs you could have Legionnaires’ disease – when to call NHS 111

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially serious type of pneumonia (a lung infection) that comes from inhaling droplets of water that contain legionella bacteria.

While the NHS refers to the condition as “uncommon” it can be life threatening.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 10 people who become sick with Legionnaires’ disease will die.

Lung failure is also a potential complication of the infection.

The sooner you spot the symptoms of infection the sooner you can seek treatment and lower your risk of serious side effects.

There are five main symptoms to spot, the NHS says.

These are:

A cough
Shortness of breath
Chest pain or discomfort, particularly when breathing or coughing
A high temperature
Flu-like symptoms.

However, if the symptoms become more serious it is important you seek an urgent GP appointment or call 111 for advice.

This includes if you experience:

A cough that’s lasted three weeks or more
Coughing up blood
Chest pain that comes and goes, or happens when breathing or coughing
Feeling short of breath.

You will be asked where you have spent the previous 10 days as there are several locations where legionnaires’ is more likely to occur.

The NHS explains: “You can get 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 less common to catch it at home.”

You can get Legionnaires’ disease from things like:

Air conditioning systems
Humidifiers
Spa pools and hot tubs
Taps and showers that are not used often.

However, you cannot usually get it from:

Drinking water that contains the bacteria
Other people with the infection
Places like ponds, lakes and rivers.

If you are diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease you may need to go to hospital.

Treatment options include antibiotics infected into the veins, the use of oxygen through a mask and a machine to help you breathe.

“Most people make a full recovery, but it might take a few weeks to feel back to normal,” the NHS says.

Legionella bacteria can also cause Pontiac fever, a mild flu-like illness.

Symptoms of this include headache, muscle aches, dry cough and shortness of breath.

Unlike Legionnaires’ disease it does not cause pneumonia.

It is not known why some people exposed to legionella bacteria get Legionnaires’ disease and others get Pontiac fever. It is thought some people don’t get ill at all from exposure.

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