Leptospirosis: Check Here The Symptoms And Preventive Measures.
This is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira. One can get the infection through direct contact with urine or reproductive fluids from infected animals, contact with contaminated water or soil or eating or drinking contaminated food or water. The bacteria can get through abrasions or cuts in your skin, or through your eyes, nose or mouth.
The infection happens in two phases; the first phase which is the acute phase, also known as leptospiremic phase and the second phase which is the immune or delayed phase.
When you have the first phase, you might see sudden symptoms of flu. These symptoms start to show within two to 14 days after the infection and can last between three and 10 days. During this phase, the bacteria is present in your bloodstream and is moving to your organs.
When you have the second phase, the bacteria have moved from your blood to your organs and can be mostly concentrated in your kidneys. This eventually causes you to urinate more. Your urine tests will show signs of the bacteria and you’ll also have antibodies of the bacteria in your blood.
Symptoms of Leptospirosis
- High fever
- Red eyes
- Headache
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Rash
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Severe yellowing of your skin or eyes
- Black, tarry poop (stool)
- Blood in your pee (hematuria)
- Decrease in the amount you pee
- Flat, red spots on your skin that look like a rash.
Preventive Measures for Leptospirosis
- Take preventative medicine
- Wear protective clothing and shoes
- Avoid water sports and swimming in lakes and rivers after floods
- Drinking only treated water
- Cover open cuts or wounds with waterproof dressing.
