How common is Legionella infection?
Infection by Legionella, despite its recent discovery, is fairly common. Most of us have, at some point in our lives, encountered this bacteria and have subsequently built up antibodies against it. 95% of those who come into contact with it will develop Pontiac Fever, which can easily pass for normal influenza. It has also been speculated that infection by Legionella is responsible for suburban neurosis (aka Sick Building Syndrome) – sore throat, slight headache, tiredness – although findings are, at this time, inconclusive. Most of those who develop full-blown Legionnaires’ Disease are those who are old, very young or whose immune systems have been compromised by disease or the environment.
