Standard Precautions
Aerobic small gram-negative bacillus.
Reservoir is water (aerosolization by cooling towers, spas, showerheads, etc.) Occurs in outbreaks. Person-to-person transmission not documented.
Risk factors include:
Infectious Disease consultation is advised to assist in evaluation, management of patients and infection control measures.
The preferred diagnostic tests are culture of lower respiratory secretions (e.g. sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage) and urinary antigen test.
CDC. Legionella (Legionnaires' Disease and Pontiac Fever). March 25, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/clinicians/disease-specifics.html