Legionellosis risk factors

Legionellosis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Legionellosis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest X Ray
CT
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Legionellosis risk factors On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Legionellosis risk factors All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Legionellosis risk factors
CDC on Legionellosis risk factors
Legionellosis risk factors in the news
Blogs on Legionellosis risk factors
Directions to Hospitals Treating Legionellosis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Legionellosis risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Risk Factors

Risk factors for Legionellosis are:

Common Risk Factors

• Old age (usually 65 years of age or older)
• Smokers
• Chronic lung disease (like emphysema)
• Alcoholism
• Diabetes
• Renal failure

Less Common Risk Factors

Weaker immune system from the following also increases the risk of Legionella infection:

• Cancer
• Hepatic failure
• Chemotherapy
• Exposure to whirlpool spas.
• Recent repairs or maintenance work on domestic plumbing.
• Transplantation
• Long-term use of a breathing machine (ventilator)

The following patients should be tested for Legionnaires' disease:

• Hospitalized patients with enigmatic pneumonia
• Patients with enigmatic pneumonia sufficiently severe to require care in the ICU
• Compromised host with pneumonia
• Patients with pneumonia in the setting of a legionellosis outbreak
• Patients who fail to respond to treatment to a ß-lactam or cephalosporin
• Patients with a travel history [patients that have traveled away from their home within two weeks before the onset of illness.]
• Patients suspected of nosocomial pneumonia with unknown etiology