Antibiotics
Legionnaires’ disease is treated with antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Possible antibiotics that may be used include:
- erythromycin
- clarithromycin
These may be taken by mouth as tablets or capsules or they may be given through an intravenous infusion. An intravenous infusion is where the medicine is given in hospital by a continuous drip through a narrow tube into a vein in your arm.
Depending on the severity of your condition, you will usually need to take antibiotics for 7 to 10 days, although in some cases you may need to take them for up to three weeks.
Side effects
Possible side effects of the antibiotics that are used to treat Legionnaires’ disease include:
- dizziness
- feeling sick
- being sick
- diarrhoea
- loss of appetite
- headaches
- drowsiness
- shortness of breath
Treatment in hospital
If you have pre-existing risk factors that make you more vulnerable to the effects of Legionnaires’ disease, such as being elderly or having diabetes, it is likely that you will be admitted to hospital. This is so that the functions of your body can be supported while you recover from the infection.
You may be given oxygen and your breathing will be supported if necessary. You may also be given intravenous fluids (fluids directly into a vein in your arm) to prevent you becoming dehydrated. Your heart rate and blood pressure may also be monitored.
