Presbyterian Hospital is taking precautions amid a Legionnaires’ disease scare, admitting that a patient tested positive for the bacteria that can cause a serious form of pneumonia.
The hospital did not say when the patient was diagnosed, when the test result was confirmed, or whether the infection occurred in the hospital. Officials have also not shared the patient’s current condition.
Likewise, local health authorities have not made any public comments yet.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella bacteria that thrive in water systems. Oftentimes, the bacteria can be found in plumbing, showers, cooling towers, decorative fountains, and other water features.
People usually get infected by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. The disease, however, does not usually spread from person to person.
Legionella infection can be very serious or even life-threatening, particularly for the elderly, people who smoke or used to smoke, and those with other health problems.
If a case is linked to a hospital facility, it must act quickly to find and control the source. This can mean testing the water system, flushing pipes, adding special filters to faucets and showers, limiting some water uses, and closely monitoring patients for more cases.
Legionnaires’ disease is especially dangerous for people who are already ill. Health officials say about 1 in 10 people with the disease die from it, and the risk may be even higher for hospital patients who are already vulnerable.
Patients and visitors who were recently at Presbyterian Hospital should closely monitor symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other flu-like symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor right away and let them know about their recent hospital visit.
