legionnaires' disease

American  

noun

Pathology.

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

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legionnaire's disease British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of legionnaires' disease

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

Example Sentences

If stored water sits too long, it can lose its chlorination, which in turn can allow the growth of harmful pathogens such as the bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease.

From Los Angeles Times

Legionnaires' disease is one of the more common infections that can arise from poorly kept units.

From BBC

Donna Jobling, from west Hull, contracted Legionnaires' disease on the island of Crete, and is in intensive care.

From BBC

Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection most commonly contracted through the inhalation of water droplets containing Legionella bacteria.

From BBC

But bacteria which causes the potentially fatal Legionnaires' disease was found during tests on the heating system days before the new health centre was due to open.

From BBC