This site is intended for healthcare professionals

CPD
CPD
Pro
Pro
account_circleSign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Epidemiology

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Legionella is an airborne infection with the bacterium sometimes living in air-conditioning systems, whirlpool spas and domestic hot water systems in large buildings.

In the UK there are about 200 cases per year, of which one third have been contracted abroad. It accounts for 2-16% of pneumonias in the UK. Men are affected three times more frequently than women. It is uncommon in children.

Mortality is 10-15% however in the elderly mortality may reach 30%.

Three epidemiological patterns are recognised:

  • in previously fit individuals living in an institution in which, for example, the shower or cooling system are contaminated
  • in immunocompromised and elderly male smokers
  • sporadic

Reference:

  • Joseph, C. New outbreak of legionnaire's disease in the United Kingdom (2002). BMJ, 325, 348-9.

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.