What is Leptospirosis?

When people are exposed to Leptospira bacteria and get an infection, it is called Leptospirosis. It is a rare and severe infection. The bacteria can be found in fresh water that has animal urine in it. It is not contagious from person to person, but a breastfeeding or pregnant mother can pass it to her child.

Risk Factors

Hawaii has the highest amount of cases of those in the United States. Some risk factors include those that are farmers, trappers, sewer workers, military personnel, veterinarians, loggers, and slaughterhouse workers. Others that may be in the risk factor section include those that swim, canoe, kayak, or do trail biking.

Symptoms

Signs of the infection can occur between two and twenty six days from exposure. The symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, dry cough, shaking chills, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Less commonly, there can be bone pain, conjunctivitis, abnormal lung sounds, abdominal pain, or enlarged spleen, liver, or lymph nodes. Lastly, there can be joint aches, skin rash, sore throat, muscle rigidity, and muscle tenderness.

Diagnosis

There can be CBC and other blood tests to check for Leptospira bacteria. Other testing that may be ordered include creatine kinase tests, urinalysis, and liver enzymes test.

Treatment

Antibiotics that are given to treat this condition include ampicillin, penicillin, ceftriaxone, and doxycycline. If the case is serious enough there may be a stay in the ICU. There is a general good prognosis, unless it is a very serious case. Some complications that may occur include severe bleeding, meningitis, and a reaction to the penicillin called Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.

Source: A.D.A.M.