
The rainy season has come flood prone areas are again in high risks of Leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. Humans become infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment. The bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes. Although more common in tropical areas, non-tropical urban conglomerations with low levels of sanitation are seeing more cases, especially during the summer and autumn months. Most of the urban areas affected involve large cities in the developing world.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. Humans become infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment. The bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes. Although more common in tropical areas, non-tropical urban conglomerations with low levels of sanitation are seeing more cases, especially during the summer and autumn months. Most of the urban areas affected involve large cities in the developing world.
There are two types of Leptospirosis:
- Mild Leptospirosis - the patient experiences muscle pains, chills and possibly a headache. 90% of cases are of this type.
- Severe Leptospirosis - can be life-threatening. There is a risk of organ failure and internal hemorrhaging. This occurs when the bacterium infects the kidneys, liver and other major organs. Experts are not sure why some patients develop the severe form - people who are already very ill, such as those with pneumonia, young children under five, and elderly individuals are more likely to suffer from severe Leptospirosis.
What are the signs and symptoms of Leptospirosis?
A symptom is something the patient feels and describes, such as a pain, while a sign is something others can detect, such as a rash.
Leptospirosis signs and symptoms usually appear suddenly, about 7 to 14 days after the person has become infected; in some cases they may appear earlier or later.
Signs and symptoms of mild leptospirosis
Signs and symptoms of severe leptospirosis - these will appear a few days after mild leptospirosis symptoms have disappeared. Signs and symptoms depend on which vital organs have been affected.
Signs and symptoms when the heart, liver and kidneys are affected
Signs and symptoms when the brain is affected - meningitis refers to infection on the outer layer of the brain, while encephalitis refers to infection of brain tissue. The signs and symptoms for both meningitis and encephalitis are similar, and may include:
Signs and symptoms when the lungs are affected - this is the most serious and life-threatening of all leptospirosis complications. Loss of lung function, when the patient cannot breathe, is a fatal condition.
Signs and symptoms may include:
A symptom is something the patient feels and describes, such as a pain, while a sign is something others can detect, such as a rash.
Leptospirosis signs and symptoms usually appear suddenly, about 7 to 14 days after the person has become infected; in some cases they may appear earlier or later.
Signs and symptoms of mild leptospirosis
- Chills
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Headaches, these can come on suddenly
- High fever
- Muscle pain, particularly lower back and calves
- Nausea
- Poor appetite
- Red and irritated eyes
- Skin pain
Signs and symptoms of severe leptospirosis - these will appear a few days after mild leptospirosis symptoms have disappeared. Signs and symptoms depend on which vital organs have been affected.
Signs and symptoms when the heart, liver and kidneys are affected
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeat, often accelerated heartbeat
- Muscle pains
- Nausea
- Nosebleeds
- Pain in the chest
- Panting
- Poor appetite
- The hands, feet or ankles swell
- Unexplained weight loss
- Yellowing of the whites of the eyes, tongue and skin (jaundice)
Signs and symptoms when the brain is affected - meningitis refers to infection on the outer layer of the brain, while encephalitis refers to infection of brain tissue. The signs and symptoms for both meningitis and encephalitis are similar, and may include:
- A blotchy rash appears on the skin. When a glass is pressed against it, it does not change color or fade
- Confusion or disorientation
- Drowsiness
- Fits (seizures)
- High fever
- Nausea
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- Problems with physical movements
- Stiff neck
- The patient is unable to speak
- Vomiting
- Aggressiveness, or unusual behavior
Signs and symptoms when the lungs are affected - this is the most serious and life-threatening of all leptospirosis complications. Loss of lung function, when the patient cannot breathe, is a fatal condition.
Signs and symptoms may include:
- High fever
- Panting
- Coughing up blood - in severe cases there is so much blood that the patient chokes
What are the causes of Leptospirosis?
Leptospira, a bacterium, may exist in raccoons, bats, sheep, dogs, mice, rats, horses, cattle, buffaloes, and pigs. They inhabit the animals' kidneys and are expelled when they urinate, and infect the soil or water supplies. Contamination can persist in soil or water for months.
People can become infected by:
Leptospira, a bacterium, may exist in raccoons, bats, sheep, dogs, mice, rats, horses, cattle, buffaloes, and pigs. They inhabit the animals' kidneys and are expelled when they urinate, and infect the soil or water supplies. Contamination can persist in soil or water for months.
People can become infected by:
- Drinking contaminated water
- Coming into contact with contaminated water or soil if they have unhealed cuts in their skin
- Their eyes, nose or mouth come into contact with contaminated water or soil
- Coming into contact with the blood of an infected animal (less common)
Preventing Leptospirosis
In non-tropical developed nations the risk of leptospirosis is negligible and most people do not need to avoid doing water sports. According to the National Health Service, UK, the chances of developing the infection in the UK is 1 in 10 million.
Experts say that those who regularly swim in freshwater should make sure that any skin cuts are covered with a waterproof dressing (also to protect against other infections, such as hepatitis A or giardiasis). After swimming in fresh water areas, you should shower thoroughly.
Prevention at work - those who are in contact with animals, or potentially contaminated water or soil should make sure they wear protective clothing and comply with local or national rules and regulations; this may involve wearing gloves, masks, boots and/or goggles.
Travelling to other countries - in areas where leptospirosis is common, do not swim in fresh water, and only come into contact with fresh water areas if you are wearing protecting clothing. Drink sealed bottled water, or boiled fresh water. Make sure any skin lesions are covered in a waterproof dressing. If you cut yourself, clean it and bandage it immediately.
Emergency workers or military personnel in disaster zones might have to take antibiotics as a precautionary measure (prophylaxis).
source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246829.php
In non-tropical developed nations the risk of leptospirosis is negligible and most people do not need to avoid doing water sports. According to the National Health Service, UK, the chances of developing the infection in the UK is 1 in 10 million.
Experts say that those who regularly swim in freshwater should make sure that any skin cuts are covered with a waterproof dressing (also to protect against other infections, such as hepatitis A or giardiasis). After swimming in fresh water areas, you should shower thoroughly.
Prevention at work - those who are in contact with animals, or potentially contaminated water or soil should make sure they wear protective clothing and comply with local or national rules and regulations; this may involve wearing gloves, masks, boots and/or goggles.
Travelling to other countries - in areas where leptospirosis is common, do not swim in fresh water, and only come into contact with fresh water areas if you are wearing protecting clothing. Drink sealed bottled water, or boiled fresh water. Make sure any skin lesions are covered in a waterproof dressing. If you cut yourself, clean it and bandage it immediately.
Emergency workers or military personnel in disaster zones might have to take antibiotics as a precautionary measure (prophylaxis).
source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246829.php