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What is Legionella?
Legionella is a bacterium that is commonly found in natural water sources, water supplies and silt. It can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made building water systems like showerheads, taps, water tanks and complex plumbing systems.
The bacteria can cause legionellosis by inhalation of airborne droplets which contain Legionella bacteria. These airborne water droplets or aerosols are often invisible and are generated by simply running a tap or using a shower.
Infection by this bacteria causes symptoms that closely resembles pneumonia such as cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle pain and headaches.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can develop Legionnaire’s disease; however, some people may be more susceptible to it.
• People over 50 years old
• Current/former smokers
• People with chronic lung disease
• People with weak immune systems
• People with cancer
• People with underlying diseases e.g. diabetes, kidney failure
How is it diagnosed?
Legionella can be diagnosed by detection of legionella antigens from urine samples or a culture of legionella bacteria from sputum samples.
How is it treated?
It normally requires finishing a dose of antibiotics and most cases of this disease can be treated successfully.
Patients with Legionellosis in Hospital
There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of Legionnaires’ disease (legionellosis). Therefore, patients diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease do not require isolation in a single room. Standard infection prevention & control precautions still apply.
Why am I receiving this leaflet?
Legionella has been detected from water sampled from an outlet in the ward in which you are receiving care.
How is the risk of Legionnaires’ Disease being managed by the Trust?
- The Trust has in place a Water Safety Plan.
- The Trust has in place a programme of regular testing of water outlets for Legionella and Pseudomonas, monitoring of water temperatures, and of maintenance of water systems.
- Point of use filters may be fitted to some water outlets, such as shower heads or taps. It is important that you do not remove these filters. If the water flow is not sufficient for your use, please inform your nursing team.
- Some water outlets may be unavailable for use whilst the Estates Team complete necessary work. If this work is assessed to impact on patient care, patients will be transferred to another clinical area until the work is complete.
- You may be requested to wear a surgical facemask if you are a room in which the Estates Team are carrying out flushing of shower outlets.
- You may be provided with bottled or sterile water to drink and to clean your teeth.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Infection prevention and control (IPC) service.
About this information
Service:
Infection prevention and control (IPC)
Reference:
LL/017
Approval date:
30 December 2024
Review date:
1 December 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.