Legionella

Although its possible to get Legionnaires disease from home plumbing. Legionella bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia lung infection called Legionnaires disease.

What Is Legionella And Legionnaires Disease

Legionella is a type of bacteria that can cause a severe form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires disease.

. Legionella species grow in a variety of places including soil and both natural and manmade water sources. Legionnaires disease is a severe often lethal form of pneumonia. Airborne exposure to environmental sources of Legionella can cause disease especially in older and immunocompromised people.

Its caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila found in both potable and nonpotable water systems. Legionella the bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease is found across the country in low numbers in natural freshwater bodies. Improperly maintained water systems such as domestic or.

Legionella bacteria can also cause a less serious illness called Pontiac. Legionella bacteria can be found throughout the world mostly in aquatic and moist environments eg lakes rivers ground water and soilLegionella can adversely impact public. In nature Legionella grow in the thin fresh-water biofilm layer ie slime on the.

You can get Legionnaires disease if you breathe in tiny droplets of water containing bacteria that causes the infection. However legionella bacteria can multiply in water systems made by humans such as air conditioners. Drinking water systems are required to treat the water to.

Legionnaires disease and Pontiac fever. Legionella tests look for these bacteria in urine sputum or blood. Its usually caught in places like.

Legionella is the sole genus of the family Legionellaceae. It is composed of many species and serogroups and following 16S rRNA analysis it now belongs to the gamma-2 subgroup of the. How you get Legionnaires disease.

Legionella are bacteria that live in water that can cause two types of illness in humans. Legionnaires disease is a serious respiratory illness.

Legionella Surveillance Yale School Of Public Health