What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis: Disease from Rat Urine

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a serious infection caused by leptospira bacteria that animals release during their urination. It is usually found in floodwaters contaminated with rat urine. Apart from rats, cattle, pigs and dogs can also be carriers or carriers of leptospira bacteria. It is important to be alert to the symptoms of leptospirosis if you are flooded, especially when there are leg and foot injuries.

Symptoms of Leptospirosis

Symptoms of leptospirosis usually occur 4 to 14 days after exposure to leptospira bacteria. This is called the incubation period and during this time you can feel the following:

Fever

Coughing

Trembling

Headache

Exhaustion

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea

Loss of appetite

Skin rash

Redness of the eyes

Pain in the muscles especially in the thigh and back

Leptospirosis can worsen and cause death if left untreated. Organs such as liver, lungs, kidneys, heart and brain can be affected. This severe case of leptospirosis is called Weil’s disease. Here are some of the symptoms:

Yellowing of the skin and the white part of the eyes

Swelling of the ankles, feet and hands

Chest pain

Seizures or severe seizures

Shortness of breath

Coughing blood

Loss of appetite

Skin hives

Redness of the eyes

Pain in the muscles especially in the thigh and back

Leptospirosis can worsen and cause death if left untreated. Organs such as liver, lungs, kidneys, heart and brain can be affected. This severe case of leptospirosis is called Weil’s disease. Here are some of the symptoms:

Yellowing of the skin and the white part of the eyes

Swelling of the ankles, feet and hands

Chest pain

Seizures or severe seizures

Shortness of breath

Coughing blood

Causes of Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is caused by leptospira bacteria that live in the kidneys of animals and are excreted in their urine. These bacteria have a long life - they can take weeks or months when they are in the water or on the ground. Leptospira bacteria can become infected when contaminated water or soil enters the mouth, nose, eyes, or open skin lesions. It can also be obtained by biting rats or by drinking water contaminated with rat urine. It is rare for a person to get it from another person, but it can happen during sexual intercourse or when a sick mother breastfeeds her baby.

How To Detect If You Have Leptospirosis?

There will be laboratory tests to check the composition of urine, blood and cerebro-spinal fluid or fluid found in the spine and brain.

Leptospirosis Medications and Remedies

This disease is usually prevented by leptospirosis prophylaxis or taking antibiotics such as penicillin and doxycycline. It is important to stop taking the medicine as the doctor says because bacteria can return when the medication is stopped. For severe leptospirosis, it is necessary to be admitted to the hospital to be given antibiotics directly into the blood. Once the bowel is affected, a medical ventilator and dialysis may also be needed.

How to Prevent Leptospirosis?

Effective prevention of leptospirosis is the prevention of contaminated water and soil that can be contaminated with animal urine especially if you have a wound. If flooding is unavoidable, wear protective clothing such as boots and be alert to the symptoms of leptospirosis. There is no vaccine for humans against leptospirosis but there are vaccines for cattle, dogs and other animals. If you think it is possible for you to get bacteria from your pet, ask a veterinarian about this vaccine. If you experience symptoms of leptospirosis, go to your doctor right away to consult and treat your illness.