Diagnosis
Since it is so hard to tell if a patient has a cold, the flu, a mild case of Pontiac fever, or actual LD, diagnosis can take some time. If you think you may have been exposed to LD through your building’s water systems or other areas of contaminated water, it is important to bring it up as quickly as possible because prompt treatment can reduce the severity of the issue. The first test for LD will normally be a chest X-ray. This lets the doctor see how far the infection has advanced into the lungs, so they can tell if the condition is Pontiac fever or LD. They may also take a sample of the patient’s urine or any phlegm they cough up.
Samples of blood, urine, or phlegm can be tested to see if the Legionella bacteria is present. If certain immune system antigens used to fight off Legionella are in the sample, then you have either Pontiac fever or LD. This is the most foolproof method for diagnosing LD but it is not always necessary. If you live in a building where many other people have been diagnosed with LD and are now exhibiting symptoms yourself, your doctor may not need further testing to diagnose you.
