Published on: 8/6/2025
What are the severe complications of Legionnaires' disease?
Severe complications of Legionnaires' disease can include muscle breakdown, breathing problems, and kidney issues.
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Explanation
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria. It can lead to serious health problems if not treated properly. Some of the severe complications include:
- Rhabdomyolysis: This is when muscles break down too quickly, which can lead to kidney damage. It's a serious condition that needs medical attention.
- Respiratory Failure: This happens when the lungs can't get enough oxygen into the blood. It can make it very hard to breathe and might need treatment in a hospital.
- Kidney Problems: The kidneys might not work right if they are affected by the disease. This can happen because of the muscle breakdown or the infection itself.
These complications can be very serious, so it's important to see a doctor if you have symptoms of Legionnaires' disease. Early treatment can help prevent these problems.
(References)
- Kao AS, Herath CJ, Ismail R, & Hettiarachchi ME. (2022). The Triad of Legionnaires' Disease, Rhabdomyolysis, and .... The American journal of case reports, 35655418.
- Rupasinghe S, & Lemoh C. (2025). Legionella pneumonia complicated with severe acute .... Journal of medical case reports, 40653483.
- Takayanagi N, Ishiguro T, Matsushita A, Yoshii Y, Kagiyama N, Miyahara Y, et al. (2009). [Severe complications and their outcomes in 65 patients .... Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai zasshi = the journal of the Japanese Respiratory Society, 19637795.
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