infectious diseases
Legionella Infections
Treatment ofLegionellaInfections
Fluoroquinolones Macrolides (preferablyazithromycin) Sometimesdoxycycline A fluoroquinolone given IV or orally for 7 to 14 days and, for severely immunocompromised patients, sometimes up to 3 weeks is the preferred regimen.Azithromycin(for 5 to 10 days) is effective, buterythromycinmay be less effective.Erythromycinshould be used only for mild pneumonia in patients who are not immunocompromised.Doxycyclineis an alternative for immunocompetent patients with mild pneumonia. The addition ofrifampinis no longer recommended because benefit has not been proved and there is potential for harm. Pontiac fever goes away on its own without treatment and causes no lingering problems. 