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The goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection with antibiotics. Treatment is started as soon as Legionnaire's disease is suspected, without waiting for confirmation by culture results. Erythromycin is the drug of choice.

Supportive treatment includes hospitalization for fluid and electrolyte replacement and oxygen administration by mask or by mechanical ventilation, if the respiratory system becomes severely compromised by the infection.

Prognosis

The overall death rate for those with pneumonia is about 15%, and the death rate increases in those with underlying diseases. The mortality for patients who develop Legionnaire's disease while hospitalized is close to 50%, especially when antibiotics are started late.

Complications

Some complications include respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation (use of a respirator).

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call your health care provider if breathing difficulties develop.

Ency. home > Disease > L > Legionnaire's disease

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