Q. Is it true that you can get Legionnaires' disease from gagging on a drink of water? This has got to be bogus.
While this sounds like an urban myth, it is true.
Most people become infected with Legionnaires' disease when they inhale microscopic water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. If you choke or cough while drinking, you can get water in your lungs. If the water contains Legionella, you may develop Legionnaires' disease, which is a form of pneumonia.
DJI
