Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection affecting people and animals. It may cause various symptoms in humans, some of which can be mistaken for other diseases. However, some infected persons can have no symptoms.
This blog explains Leptospirosis, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, complications and treatment comprehensively.
A type of bacteria called Leptospira causes Leptospirosis. It is a zoonotic disease, which means that it may infect humans through animals. The bacteria that cause leptospirosis transmit through urine of infected animals that can get into soil or water and survives there for weeks to months. Many different kinds of domestic or wild animals carry this bacterium.
These can include, but are not limited to:
When these animals are infected, they may have no symptoms of the disease.
In humans, this can occur because of contact with animal urine or contaminated soil or water. Sometimes, Leptospirosis leads to mild flu-like symptoms or causes no symptoms. However , sometimes Leptospirosis can lead to severe complications such as kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.
There are two presentations of Leptospirosis, including:
Anicteric syndrome is the starting phase of Leptospirosis. It is a mild, flu-like illness that accounts for most cases. It starts suddenly, and the symptoms are headache, cough, non-pruritic rash, fever, muscle pain, anorexia, and diarrhea. The anicteric syndrome may last for a few days before the symptoms present themselves. It is rarely fatal.
If people get better but get sick again, they may enter the second phase of Leptospirosis. This form is known as an icteric syndrome or Weil’s disease. It is more severe. Generally, this type of Leptospirosis lasts many weeks. It is less common than the first phase of Leptospirosis.
The symptoms of Leptospirosis differ based on type and severity. Mild Leptospirosis can cause:
The symptoms of severe Leptospirosis include:
Typically, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks for people with this condition to start showing symptoms. However, it can also take up to a month for people to display signs.
You must contact a doctor if you have been exposed to animal urine or contaminated soil or water. You must also contact the doctor if you experience the following signs:
A bacteria known as Leptospira causes Leptospirosis. It develops when people come into contact with:
The bacteria may enter the body through open wounds or mucous membranes, like the mouth or eyes. Afterwards, it enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body.
Leptospirosis can probably affect people who:
The treatment of Leptospirosis can help reduce its severity. However, without treatment, it may cause complications, including:
In some cases, it can also cause death.
The correct treatment of Leptospirosis depends on the severity. The options include:
Simple remedies can treat mild cases of Leptospirosis. They include drinking plenty of fluids, getting adequate rest, and taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.
Doctors use the following antibiotics to treat Leptospirosis:
Antibiotics can be given intravenously for cases of severe Leptospirosis.
People who suffer from severe Leptospirosis must be admitted to the hospital since severe cases affect multiple organs. Based on the clinical condition and severity, patients may need additional medical interventions at the hospital. They include dialysis, mechanical ventilation, and vasopressors (medications to support blood pressure).
The best way for people to prevent Leptospirosis is to avoid exposure to the bacteria. People can follow the tips to prevent Leptospirosis:
Leptospirosis can develop in humans and animals. It primarily spreads through the urine of infected animals, although it can also spread through contaminated water or soil.
Though most cases are mild, Leptospirosis can cause serious life-threatening complications, including meningitis and kidney damage. Getting treated as early as possible is crucial in avoiding these issues. To reduce their risk, people must prevent urine and contact with fresh water, particularly after flooding. If they work with animals, they must wear protective equipment.
The doctors first ask the patients about their medical history. CBC and differential counts, urinalysis, microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) may be performed .
Leptospirosis is widespread among animals, including farm, wild, and domesticated animals. Leptospirosis is common in dogs but rare in cats.
Leptospirosis rarely spreads among humans. However, spread from mother to baby can happen during pregnancy, through the placenta, posing a risk of miscarriage.