This illness is caused by inhaling bacteria (Legionella) in water droplets
It is not contagious to family members or contacts
You do not need antibiotics for this infection
Treatment at home
Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen for fever and muscle aches
Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice, broth) throughout the day
Rest as needed until you feel better
Timeline
Most people recover fully within 2 to 5 days
Mild fatigue may persist a few days after fever resolves
Warning signs to return to the emergency department
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Even at rest
Worsening or new cough
Especially with colored or blood-tinged sputum
Fever lasting more than 5 days or returning after improvement
Chest pain with breathing
Confusion, new disorientation, or unusual drowsiness
Inability to drink fluids without vomiting
Any symptom that is rapidly worsening
Follow-up
See your family doctor within 5 to 7 days to confirm recovery
If your diagnosis is uncertain, a blood test (convalescent serology) may be arranged 3 to 6 weeks later
Important public health information
The water source that caused your illness has been (or must be) reported to public health
Do not use the implicated hot tub, fountain, or water facility until it has been inspected and cleared
Alert your doctor if you know of others who were exposed to the same water source and have become ill
Protecting others
You cannot spread this illness to others through personal contact
Friends or family who visited the same location and develop fever or flu-like symptoms should see a doctor promptly
References
Guidelines and key sources
Primary references
Phin N, Parry-Ford F, Harrison T, et al. Epidemiology and Clinical Management of Legionnaires' Disease. Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2014. PMID 24970283
Cunha BA, Burillo A, Bouza E. Legionnaires' Disease. Lancet. 2016. PMID 26231463
Jones TF, Benson RF, Brown EW, et al. Epidemiologic Investigation of a Restaurant-Associated Outbreak of Pontiac Fever. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2003. PMID 14583861
Glick TH, Gregg MB, Berman B, et al. Pontiac Fever: An Epidemic of Unknown Etiology in a Health Department. American Journal of Epidemiology. 1978. PMID 623097
Kaufmann AF, McDade JE, Patton CM, et al. Pontiac Fever: Isolation of the Etiologic Agent and Mode of Transmission. American Journal of Epidemiology. 1981. PMID 7304569
Luttichau HR, Vinther C, Uldum SA, et al. An Outbreak of Pontiac Fever Among Children Following Use of a Whirlpool. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 1998. PMID 9636866
Tossa P, Deloge-Abarkan M, Zmirou-Navier D, Hartemann P, Mathieu L. Pontiac Fever: An Operational Definition for Epidemiological Studies. BMC Public Health. 2006. PMID 16646972
Burnsed LJ, Hicks LA, Smithee LM, et al. A Large, Travel-Associated Outbreak of Legionellosis Among Hotel Guests: Utility of the Urine Antigen Assay in Confirming Pontiac Fever. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2007. PMID 17173221
Nicolay N, Boland M, Ward M, et al. Investigation of Pontiac-Like Illness in Office Workers During an Outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease. Epidemiology and Infection. 2010. PMID 20202281
Principe L, Tomao P, Visca P. Legionellosis in the Occupational Setting. Environmental Research. 2017. PMID 27717486
Use when no radiographic pneumonia and self-limited course confirmed
SNOMED CT: Pontiac fever (disorder)
Synonym: Non-pneumonic legionellosis
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.