TreatingLegionnaires' disease

Legionnaires' disease is treated with a course of antibiotics , such as erythromycin or clarithromycin. Antibiotics will be taken as a tablet or capsule, orthrough a continuous drip intoa vein in your arm.

How long you'll need antibiotic treatment for will depend onhow severe the condition is. Treatment usually lasts about a week, but may continue for up to three weeks.

Around 90% of people withLegionnaires' disease make a full recovery after taking antibiotics. However, while you may start to feel better after a few days, it can take weeks until you're completely back to normal. During this period, it's common to feel tired.

Legionnaires' disease can beparticularly serious in people with pre-existing health conditions. In this case, you may beadmitted to hospitalso your healthcan be closely monitored.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018