Study Finds Link Between Swimming in Still Water Lakes and Bacterial Pneumonia

New Delhi: A recent study has warned that swimming in certain still water lakes can lead to infections caused by Legionella, a bacterium responsible for severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease. Researchers urged open-water swimmers to be cautious of the potential health risks associated with stagnant water bodies.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe respiratory infection characterized by lung inflammation, fever, chills, chest pain, persistent cough, fatigue, and, in some cases, gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea. According to Dr. Ashley Bryson, an internal medicine resident at the University of Manitoba, Legionella poses a significant public health threat as it thrives in warm, stagnant water found in both natural and artificial water systems, including lakes, rivers, plumbing systems, air conditioning units, and public spas.

Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the study highlights that individuals over 50, smokers, and those with chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, or diabetes are at greater risk of developing Legionnaires’ disease. A weakened immune system further increases susceptibility to infection.

The researchers advised clinicians to consider Legionnaires’ disease in patients presenting with pneumonia that does not improve despite broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. This is particularly crucial for severe cases, immunocompromised patients, or individuals with a recent travel history. The study emphasized that standard antibiotics may not always be effective if they lack activity against atypical pathogens like Legionella.

Testing for Legionnaires’ disease should be conducted in patients who do not respond to outpatient treatment for community-acquired pneumonia, as well as in those with severe pneumonia requiring intensive care. Additionally, individuals with weakened immune systems, those recently admitted to a hospital with pneumonia, and travelers who have visited high-risk areas within 14 days of symptom onset should undergo diagnostic testing.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease typically appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure and can persist for several weeks. The study underscores the importance of early detection and appropriate antimicrobial treatment to prevent severe complications.