Legionnaires' disease - Complications 

In particularly severe cases of Legionnaires’ disease, a number of life-threatening complications can occur. These include:

• the lungs are unable to provide the body with enough oxygen (respiratory failure)
• the kidneys do not work, which can lead to a dangerous build-up of fluids and waste in the blood (kidney failure)
• a blood infection, leading to a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure (septic shock)

In England and Wales, an estimated 10-15% of people with Legionnaires’ disease will die from the condition.