Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia. It is caused by bacteria. People who suffer from Legionnaires' disease can suffer long term and it can be fatal. Everyone is susceptible to infection but some people are at higher risk. Care providers have responsibilities to assess risk and ensure appropriate actions are taken to manage these risks and comply with the law.

This course will help you to understand Legionnaires’ disease. We look at how people catch the disease, factors that increase the risk of catching the disease, treatments available and care providers' responsibilities.

• What is Legionnaires’ disease?
• Signs and symptoms
• How people get Legionnaires’ disease
• How Legionnaires’ disease is diagnosed
• Treatment for Legionnaires’ and prognosis
• Factors putting people at greater risk of harm from Legionnaires’
• Care providers’ responsibilities in relation to Legionnaires’ disease
• Risk assessments and useful resources

By the end of the training, you will:

• Describe what Legionnaires’ disease is and explain how common it is
• Understand how people get Legionnaires’ disease
• Understand how Legionnaires’ disease is diagnosed
• Explain how Legionnaires’ disease is treated and prognosis
• Describe factors that put some people at greater risk of contracting and experiencing harm from Legionnaires’ disease
• Explain the duties and responsibilities of care providers in relation to Legionnaires’ disease
• Know how to conduct a risk assessment for Legionnaires’ disease
• Locate useful online resources

This course has been designed specifically for people who would like to understand more about Legionnaires’ Disease working in a social care setting. It provides information for care workers as well as for managers relating to their responsibilities and risk assessment. It may also be useful to a wider audience of people who would like to know more about water hygiene.