Treatment
After you finally get your LD diagnosis, the doctor can move on to treating you. For most patients, LD can be treated with a simple dose of antibiotics. These antibiotics target the Legionella bacteria and remove it before it can cause damage to your body. If you get this treatment, it is important to take the full course instead of stopping as soon as you feel better because the infection might recur otherwise. Most patients can just take the medications and rest at home, but those with a more severe bout of LD may require hospital time.
Each case is different, so some patients may end up with a far more severe infection than others. People who already have a severe health problem like cancer, people who smoke, or those with a lot of fluid buildup in the lungs may need to go to a hospital for more advanced care. Generally, those who are elderly, very young, or have a compromised immune system may require hospital care and larger doses of medication. Strong, healthy people who get LD may not even need to take any antibiotics because their body might fight off the illness on its own. To manage the fever and general aches and pains, a basic over the counter medication like acetaminophen can be useful.
