Pontiac Fever

What is Pontiac fever?

Pontiac fever is a flu-like illness you get from breathing in Legionella bacteria. It’s a mild form of legionellosis. Unlike the more well-known form of legionellosis (Legionnaires’ disease), Pontiac fever doesn’t make you severely ill and doesn’t cause pneumonia.

You might hear about outbreaks of legionellosis, where many people get sick from one place. But most cases are sporadic (only affect one person). It also usually only affects people with certain health conditions.

What are the symptoms of Pontiac fever?

Symptoms of Pontiac fever include:

• Fever
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Tiredness (fatigue) or lack of energy (malaise)

Less common symptoms include:

• Dizziness or vertigo
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Neck stiffness
• Confusion
• Digestive symptoms, like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

What causes Pontiac fever?

Legionella bacteria causes Pontiac fever. Legionella is found naturally in lakes, streams and soil, but it can also contaminate drinking water and air systems, especially in large buildings.

How do you get Pontiac fever?

You can get Pontiac fever by breathing in a mist of water droplets that contain Legionella bacteria. You might breathe in water mist from:

• Shower heads
• Faucets
• Commercial air conditioning (but not home or car air conditioning)
• Windshield wiper fluid, especially if it’s replaced with mostly water
• Hot tubs
• Decorative water features
• Water tanks and heaters
• Large plumbing systems

Rarely, you can get it from aspirating the bacteria (when water “goes down the wrong pipe”) from drinking water.

Is Pontiac fever contagious?

No, Pontiac fever isn’t contagious (it doesn’t spread from one person to another).

What are the risk factors for Pontiac fever?

Most people don’t get sick from breathing in Legionella. But some health conditions and other factors can put you at risk. You’re at a higher risk for Pontiac fever if you:

• Smoke or used to smoke
• Are 50 or older
• Have a compromised immune system
• Have certain health conditions, including cancer, COPD or other chronic lung diseases, diabetes, and kidney or liver failure

How is Pontiac fever diagnosed?

A healthcare provider might use the following tests to diagnose Pontiac fever:

• Lab tests. Your provider can test your pee (urine) or mucus coughed up from your lungs (sputum) to look for Legionella bacteria. A lab will try to grow (culture) bacteria on the sputum sample.
• Chest X-ray. Providers can use a chest X-ray to look for pneumonia.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR can detect small amounts of genetic material from the virus in fluid from your respiratory tract.

Since the symptoms are similar to many other illnesses, you might only be tested if there’s a known outbreak of legionellosis that could affect you.

How is Pontiac fever treated?

Providers usually don’t treat Pontiac fever. It goes away on its own. Providers treat more serious forms of legionellosis with antibiotics.

How do I take care of myself at home?

You can usually manage symptoms of Pontiac fever at home with over-the-counter medications, like pain relievers and fever reducers.

Can Pontiac fever be prevented?

You can reduce your risk of Pontiac fever at home by making sure shower heads, faucets, hot tubs and humidifiers are properly cleaned. Don’t use tap water in place of windshield wiper fluid in your car.

Building managers can reduce the risk of Pontiac fever by maintaining and properly disinfecting water and ventilation systems.

What’s the mortality rate of Pontiac fever?

Pontiac fever isn’t fatal. It should go away on its own in about a week.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Talk to your provider if there’s an outbreak of legionellosis — including Legionnaires’ disease — and you have symptoms of Pontiac fever. They can help you manage your symptoms and decide if you need antibiotics or other care.

When should I go to the ER?

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you experience:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• New or worsening chest pain
• Confusion or inability to think clearly
• High fever (104 degrees Fahrenheit/40 degrees Celsius)
• Bluish or grayish skin, lips or nails (cyanosis)