About this topic
Legionnaires disease is a lung infection. It is caused by a germ called Legionella. This infection is a kind of pneumonia, which is a serious lung infection with swelling and inflammation of the lung tissues. The same germ also causes a milder illness. It has signs more like the common flu. This mild form may go away without treatment. The more serious breathing problems will need treatment for you to get better. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Apply a warm compress to relieve belly pain.
- Put a cool mist humidifier in your room to help with breathing troubles.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water, juice, or broths to replace fluids lost in fever.
- To help with throat pain:
- Gargle with warm salt water a few times each day. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of warm water to make salt water.
- Suck on ice chips or lozenges.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
- Control lung swelling
- Make breathing easier
Will physical activity be limited?
Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities. Coughing may interfere with your work and home chores. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Eat soft foods like soup or pudding if swallowing is too painful. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Breathing problems
- A sudden drop in your blood pressure called shock
- Kidney problems
- Heart problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Be mindful of travel advisories when going on trips.
- If you have a weak immune system, avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and steam rooms.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills
- Fast heartbeat
- Chest pain
- You cannot stop throwing up or cannot keep down fluids
- Bluish color on nail beds, fingers, and toes
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my breathing and sore throat.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have chest pain; a fast heartbeat; or bluish color on my nail beds, fingers, and toes.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/legionella/patient_facts.htm ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/193/viewAbstract ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Legionnaires-disease/Pages/Symptoms.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚