It’s not often one hears warnings about Legionnaires’ Disease and Lexington health officials aren’t sure yet exactly why they’re seeing an uptick, but there are some factors that could be playing a role.
"This time of year, people are using outdoor pools and hot tubs, and with the recent rain you're going to have a lot of standing water," says health department spokesman Kevin Hall.
The reason that’s important is that Legionella, the bacteria that causes the illness, can spread in stagnant water and in places like pools and jacuzzis. While the illness is not one that’s spread person-to-person, it can be spread through the air.
Hall says the health department hasn’t seen a large number of cases, but even a handful is enough to raise concerns.
"There are about five cases that we know of. Typically, there are zero cases of this," Hall says. "This is not something that happens or you hear about very often."
Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches. While those are common to other illnesses, Hall says they’re important to get checked out — especially for those 50 and older, smokers, or anyone with a compromised immune system. If you develop the symptoms, be sure to tell your physician if you’ve been in or around pools or hot tubs.
An otherwise healthy adult who contracts Legionnaires’ can be treated with antibiotics and the illness will resolve, but Hall says some will need hospitalization. Risk for serious complications goes up, however, along with risk factors.
