The potentially lethal condition begins with flu-like symptoms, but there are four signs that could indicate you need immediate hospital attention
A holidaymaker, Donna Jobling, has contracted Legionnaires’ disease during an all-inclusive holiday in Crete. According to the Independent, she has been placed in an induced coma in Crete.
As per the NHS, Legionnaires’ disease is a rare but potentially deadly lung infection if not treated promptly. It’s transmitted by inhaling water droplets containing Legionella bacteria.
Sources can include air conditioning units, hot tubs, humidifiers, showers and taps. The bacteria must be inhaled to cause an infection; typically, you won’t fall ill from activities such as drinking water or swimming in lakes contaminated with the bacteria.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort, especially when breathing or coughing
- A high temperature
- Flu-like symptoms
These initial symptoms usually appear between two and 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. However, some other symptoms of the disease necessitate immediate medical attention.
The NHS advises people to call 111 or arrange an urgent GP appointment if they experience any of the following:
- A cough lasting three weeks or more
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain that comes and goes, or occurs when breathing or coughing
- Feeling short of breath
When you talk to a healthcare professional, inform them about any places you’ve visited in the past 10 days that could have exposed you to Legionnaires’ disease, such as hotels, spas, or hospitals. People over the age of 50, smokers, or those with compromised immune systems may be at an increased risk of contracting the disease.
If you’re diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, hospitalisation may be necessary. In this case, doctors might administer antibiotics intravenously, provide oxygen masks, tubes or even machines to assist your breathing.
The disease can prove fatal if not treated promptly, as it can lead to complications like pneumonia and respiratory failure. In 2023, there were 604 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease and 19 deaths in England and Wales.
In all, 212 of these cases were associated with travel abroad. Currently, Donna is in an induced coma in Crete, according to a GoFundMe page set up by her niece, Claire.
Donna’s husband, Sid, remains by her side in Greece, while Claire and the rest of the family are seeking financial assistance to cover the costs of additional family members travelling to support the couple during this difficult period.
According to the BBC, the source of the disease has not yet been identified. However, easyJet Holidays, the company through which the couple booked their holiday, has relocated customers from the hotel as a precautionary measure. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has also issued an emergency alert for the island following the diagnosis.