What Is Leptospirosis and How Does It Affect?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through animals. It is spread via urine, particularly by dogs, rodents, and agricultural animals. They may not show any signs or symptoms, but they are nonetheless carriers.

Leptospirosis is usually unpleasant but not life-threatening, similar to the flu. It usually only lasts a week. When you have a severe form of leptospirosis, though, roughly 10% of the time you'll get better, then get sick again. This is known as Weil's illness, and it can lead to far more serious problems such as chest pain and swelling arms and legs. It frequently necessitates hospitalization

What are the main causes of Leptospirosis?
The germ can enter your body through holes in your skin, such as scrapes, open wounds, or dry patches if you're near soil or water where an infected animal has peed. It can also get into your body through your mouth, nose, or genitals. It's difficult to contract it from another person, yet it can be transmitted through sex or nursing.

If you spend a lot of time among animals or in the outdoors, you're at danger. If you work in one of these jobs, you're more likely to be exposed to it:

• Veterinarian
• Farmer
• Underground employee (you work in a sewer or a mine)
• Armed forces people
• Slaughterhouse employee
• You may also contract the sickness if you raft, swim, or camp near contaminated lakes and rivers

Leptospirosis is more common in warm climates. Despite the fact that the bacteria may be found all over the world, it is most prevalent in Africa, Australia, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis symptoms normally appear within two weeks, though they may take longer or not appear at all in some cases. You can have a 104-degree Fahrenheit fever. It could reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Other common signs and symptoms include:

• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Jaundice
• Skin rash
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Possible Severe Symptoms 

• Kidney failure
• Meningitis
• Lung problem

How Leptospirosis Test is Performed?
To check for leptospirosis, your doctor will do a simple blood test and look for antibodies in the blood. These are bacteria-fighting organisms produced by your body. If you've had the disease before, the blood test could result in a false positive. So, about a week later, your doctor will likely conduct a second test to ensure the results are accurate.

A DNA test could also be ordered by your doctor. It is more exact, but it is more expensive and takes longer, and it is not currently available in many parts of the world. If the bacteria develops in blood, spinal fluid, or urine culture, it can be identified.

What is the Treatment of Leptospirosis?
Antibiotics, such as penicillin and doxycycline, can be used to treat leptospirosis. For fever and muscle ache, your doctor may prescribe ibuprofen. The illness should clear up in approximately a week.

If your infection is serious, you may need to go to the hospital. Antibiotics may need to be injected into your body, and in severe situations, the infection may cause organ damage.

Complications can be treated in a variety of ways. For example, the condition might spread throughout your body, causing internal bleeding and inflaming your pancreas or gallbladder (systemic inflammatory syndrome). Following the spread of this virus, you or people around you may notice changes in your speech or behaviour.

How Should You Prevent it?
Avoid drinking tainted water. If you're in a developing country, make sure the water is safe before drinking it. Because leptospirosis can enter the body through various openings, it's good to avoid waterskiing, freshwater swimming, sailing, or fishing. In general, saltwater is safe.

Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited​