ABSTRACT – Leptospirosis is an uncommon bacterial skin infection in which animals as well as human beings get affected...
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a relatively rare bacterial infection that affects people and animals. It can pass from animals to humans when an unhealed break in the skin comes in contact with water or soil where animal urine is present.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of leptospirosis usually appear suddenly, about 5 to 14 days after infection. However, the incubation period can range from 2 to 30 days, according to the CDC.
Mild leptospirosis
Signs and symptoms of mild leptospirosis include:
a fever and chills
coughing
diarrhea, vomiting, or both
headache
muscle pain, particularly lower back and calves
a rash
red and irritated eyes
jaundice
Most people recover within a week without treatment, but around 10 percent go on to develop severe leptospirosis.
Severe leptospirosis
Signs and symptoms of severe leptospirosis will appear a few days after mild leptospirosis symptoms have disappeared.
Symptoms depend on which vital organs are involved. It can lead to kidney or liver failure, respiratory distress, and meningitis. These can be fatal.
The heart, liver, and kidneys
If leptospirosis affects the heart, liver, and kidneys, the person will experience:
fatigue
irregular, often fast, heartbeat
muscle pains
nausea
nosebleeds
pain in the chest
panting
poor appetite
swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles
unexplained weight loss
jaundice, seen in a yellowing of the whites of the eyes, tongue, and skin
Without treatment, this can lead to life-threatening kidney failure.
The brain
If it affects the brain or spinal cord, meningitis, encephalitis, or both may develop.
Meningitis is an infection of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord, while encephalitis refers to infection of brain tissue. Both conditions have similar signs and symptoms.
These may include:
confusion or disorientation
drowsiness
fits or seizures
high fever
nausea
photophobia, or sensitivity to light
problems with physical movements
stiff neck
inability to speak
vomiting
aggressive or unusual behavior
Untreated meningitis or encephalitis can result in serious brain damage, and it may be life-threatening.
The lungs
If it affects the lungs, the person cannot breathe.
Signs and symptoms include:
high fever
panting
coughing up blood
In severe cases, there may be so much blood that the person suffocates.
Causes
The Leptospira bacteria can exist in raccoons, bats, sheep, dogs, mice, rats, horses, cattle, buffaloes, and pigs.
The bacteria inhabit the animals’ kidneys and are expelled through urination, infecting the soil or water supplies.
The bacteria can remain in the soil or water for months.
Treatment
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection.
For mild cases, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, such as doxycycline or penicillin.
Patients with severe leptospirosis will need to spend time in the hospital. They will receive antibiotics intravenously.
Depending on which organs leptospirosis affects, the individual may need a ventilator to help them breathe.
If it affects the kidneys, dialysis may be necessary.
Intravenous fluids can provide hydration and essential nutrients.
Hospital stays may range from a few weeks to several months. This mostly depends on how the patient responds to antibiotic treatment, and how severely the infection damages their organs.
During pregnancy, leptospirosis can affect the fetus. Anyone who has the infection during pregnancy will need to spend time in the hospital for monitoring.
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