CASE STUDY Mildred had always done her grocery shopping at the grocery store across from the retirement community she lives in. Recently she was sick with flu-like symptoms: muscle aches and soreness,...

CASE STUDY

Mildred had always done her grocery shopping at the grocery store across from the retirement community she lives in. Recently she was sick with flu-like symptoms: muscle aches and soreness, malaise, and then fever and chills. She recovered but she has heard about other people at the retirement community with similar symptoms, some of whom have ended up in the hospital and one of whom died. She has heard Legionnaires’ disease mentioned. This week when she was at the grocery store she noticed that the vegetable section was closed for remodeling. She asked the check-out clerk about it. The clerk said the local health department had come out and done some testing. As a result, they were getting a new water spraying system put in. Were Mildred’s symptoms consistent with Legionnaires’ disease? What diagnostic tests might have been done if she had gone to the doctor? Why do you think the grocery store was putting in a new water spraying system? How do you think Mildred got infected with Legionella pneumophila? Visit the following website to learn more about actual outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease and ways to prevent infection.