Search results
- DictionaryLe·gion·naire/ˌlējəˈner/
noun
- 1. a member of a legion, in particular an ancient Roman legion or the French Foreign Legion.
A legionnaire is a member of a legion, especially a Roman legion. Learn the synonyms, examples, word history, and etymology of legionnaire from Merriam-Webster dictionary.
People also ask
What is Legionnaire noun?
What does Legion mean?
What are the signs and symptoms of Legionnaires' disease?
Can you get Legionnaires' disease if you have a Legionella infection?
A legionnaire is a member of a military force or association, such as the French Foreign Legion or the American Legion. Learn the origin, history and usage of the word legionnaire with examples from literature and sources.
- On this page
- Symptoms
- When to see a doctor
- Causes
- Risk factors
- Complications
- Prevention
- Products & Services
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
•Overview
•Symptoms
•When to see a doctor
•Causes
•Risk factors
•Complications
Legionnaires' disease usually develops two to 10 days after exposure to legionella bacteria. It frequently begins with the following signs and symptoms:
•Headache
•Muscle aches
•Fever that may be 104 F (40 C) or higher
By the second or third day, you'll develop other signs and symptoms that can include:
•Cough, which might bring up mucus and sometimes blood
See your doctor if you think you've been exposed to legionella bacteria. Diagnosing and treating Legionnaires' disease as soon as possible can help shorten the recovery period and prevent serious complications. For people at high risk, such as smokers or older adults, prompt treatment is critical.
Request an appointment
The bacterium Legionella pneumophila is responsible for most cases of Legionnaires' disease. Outdoors, legionella bacteria survive in soil and water, but rarely cause infections. However, legionella bacteria can multiply in water systems made by humans, such as air conditioners.
Although it's possible to get Legionnaires' disease from home plumbing, most outbreaks have occurred in large buildings, perhaps because complex systems allow the bacteria to grow and spread more easily. Also, home and car air conditioning units don't use water for cooling.
Not everyone exposed to legionella bacteria becomes sick. You're more likely to develop the infection if you:
•Smoke. Smoking damages the lungs, making you more susceptible to all types of lung infections.
•Have a weakened immune system. This can be a result of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or certain medications, especially corticosteroids and drugs taken to prevent organ rejection after a transplant.
•Have a chronic lung disease or other serious condition. This includes emphysema, diabetes, kidney disease or cancer.
•Are 50 years of age or older.
Legionnaires' disease can be a problem in hospitals and nursing homes, where germs can spread easily and people are vulnerable to infection.
Legionnaires' disease can lead to a number of life-threatening complications, including:
•Respiratory failure. This occurs when the lungs can't provide the body with enough oxygen or can't remove enough carbon dioxide from the blood.
•Septic shock. This occurs when a severe, sudden drop in blood pressure reduces blood flow to vital organs, especially to the kidneys and brain. The heart tries to compensate by increasing the volume of blood pumped, but the extra workload eventually weakens the heart and reduces blood flow even further.
•Acute kidney failure. This is the sudden loss of your kidneys' ability to filter waste from your blood. When your kidneys fail, dangerous levels of fluid and waste accumulate in your body.
Outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease are preventable, but prevention requires water management systems in buildings that ensure that water is monitored and cleaned regularly.
To lower your personal risk, avoid smoking.
Request an appointment
By Mayo Clinic Staff
May 24, 2021
1.Murdoch D, et al. Microbiology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of Legionella infection. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 5, 2019.
•A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition
•Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling legionella bacteria from water or soil. Learn about the signs, risk factors, complications and how to prevent this infection.
Jul 27, 2022 · Legionnaires' disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Learn how to prevent, diagnose and treat this condition that affects your lungs, brain and gut.
A legionnaire is a member of a legion, especially the French Foreign Legion or the American Legion. Find out the origin, pronunciation, and translations of the word legionnaire in different languages.
Definition of legionnaire noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Aug 29, 2024 · Legionnaire Add to list. Legionnaire. Other forms: Legionnaires. Definitions of Legionnaire. noun. a member of the American Legion. see more.
