Abstract
Reports of Legionnaires’ disease can create alarm in the
community because of the fear of outbreaks of illness, yet
the vast majority of cases occur sporadically. Legionnaires’
disease is characterised by general malaise, a lack of
appetite, muscle aches and headache, followed by high
fever, chills, a dry cough and pneumonia. Abdominal pain
and diarrhoea may occur. Up to 39 per cent of hospitalised
patients may die, and the death rate is higher among people
who have other underlying diseases. Risk factors for the
disease include male gender, older age, smoking, diabetes,
chronic lung disease, renal disease, cancer, and immune
suppression.
