legionnaires' disease

noun

, Pathology.

1. a type of acute pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila bacterium and characterized by fever, chest pain, cough, and muscle aches.

legionnaire's disease

noun

1. a serious, sometimes fatal, infection, caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila, which has symptoms similar to those of pneumonia: believed to be spread by inhalation of contaminated water vapour from showers and air-conditioning plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of legionnaires' disease¹

So called from its first reported occurrence, at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia in 1976

Word History and Origins

Origin of legionnaires' disease¹

C20: after the outbreak at a meeting of the American Legion at Philadelphia in 1976

Example Sentences

His time investigating a wide range of outbreaks, from hantavirus to Legionnaires’ disease, provided him with extensive hands-on training and allowed him to work with “great mentors” who solidified his future in public health.

From Seattle Times

An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease sickened 90 people and killed 12.

From Salon

In earlier, related research that was published in January, the same scientists found that a different enzyme from a different illness-causing bacteria, Legionella pneumophila -- which causes a type of pneumonia called Legionnaires' disease -- actively breaks apart the same molecule during infection.

From Science Daily

Two patients treated at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, and they may have gotten infected while they were being treated, according to UW Medicine.

From Seattle Times

Any patient with Legionnaires’ disease who stayed in a health care facility for part of the 14 days before symptoms showed is treated as a possible health care-associated infection.

From Seattle Times