Jill Akre – Legionnaires’ Disease Survivor Story
Jill Akre, a survivor of Legionnaires’ disease, shares her personal story of experiencing the disease and its impact on her life.
In August 2018, Jill Akre’s husband came home to find her facedown on the floor of their basement, with her face bruised. At first he thought she might have been attacked by an intruder but Jill collapsed because of a sudden onset of illness which doctors later diagnosed as Legionnaires’ disease.
In this video, Jill tells her story about nearly dying from Legionnaires’ disease, suffering a long hospital stay and – against the odds – making a slow but full recovery.
Highlights
- 01:25 Jill recounts her symptoms and the confusion surrounding her diagnosis.
- 03:45 Jill describes the severity of her condition and the impact on her body.
- 07:10 Jill reflects on the emotional toll and challenges faced during her recovery.
- 09:50 Jill shares her determination to raise awareness and prevent others from contracting Legionnaires’ disease or other opportunistic plumbing pathogen infections.
Key Insights
- Legionnaires’ disease can cause severe damage to the body’s organs and muscles, leading to a range of physical challenges.
- The recovery process after experiencing Legionnaires’ disease can be emotionally and physically demanding, requiring extensive therapy and support.
- Jill’s experience highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent further complications.
- Jill’s determination to raise awareness and prevent others from contracting the disease is a testament to her resilience and strength.
- The impact of Legionnaires’ disease extends beyond the individual affected; their loved ones can face difficult decisions and uncertainties.
- Jill’s story serves as a reminder that some medications make a person more susceptible to Legionella infections. Legionella can infect even young, healthy nonsmokers.
- By sharing her personal experience, Jill hopes to educate others and prevent them from going through the same ordeal.