A 41-year-old member asked:
How is legionnaires disease transmitted?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Ihalation: The bacterium Legionella Pneumophila causes most cases of Legionnaire's Disease & is spread when microscopic water drops are inhaled.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Dan Fisheranswered
Internal Medicine 29 years experience
Water: Legionella lives in water and is amplified in man made water systems where water is heated and potentially stagnant. Inhalation of aerosols of this water and or aspiration of water into the lungs can cause the disease. Humidification systems, showers, hot tubs, etc have been implicated. Home systems seem to have low risk.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
What is legionnaires' disease?
3 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Kevin Windischanswered
Pediatrics 27 years experience
A type of pneumonia: It is a type of pneumonia caused by a bacterium called legionella. This bacterium likes to grow in standing water such as in air conditioning units.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 18, 2014
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $39!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.