Leptospirosis

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis, also known as canicola fever, hemorrhagic jaundice, infectious jaundice, mud fever, spirochetal jaundice, swamp fever, swineherd's disease, caver's flu or sewerman's flu, is a bacterial infection resulting from exposure to the Leptospira interrogans bacterium. There is an acute form of human infection known as Weil's disease, where the patient suffers from jaundice, though this term is often (incorrectly) used to describe any case of infection. Weil's disease is comparatively rare, though 'mild' cases of leptospirosis happen everywhere there are carriers, and it is believed that leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic infections in the world. Millions of people are infected each year, but information and treatment can be limited, especially in the developed world where cases are considered 'rare' by the medical community. The goal of the LIC and this website is to increase awareness of the infection and how to manage the risks, with clear advice and guidance for all aspects of work and leisure.

Symptoms

Symptoms can take 2 - 26 days (average 10 days) to develop, and may include:

Share

• Dry cough
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Shaking chills

Less common symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal lung sounds
• Bone pain
• Conjunctivitis
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Enlarged spleen or liver
• Joint aches
• Muscle rigidity
• Muscle tenderness
• Skin rash



Leptospirosis in kidney

• Sore throat

Diagnostic Test for Leptospirosis:

The list of medical tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Leptospirosis includes:

• Blood culture
• Urine culture
• CSF culture
• Blood antibody tests

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical diagnostic tests may be relevant to Leptospirosis:

• Cold & Flu: Home Testing:
• Home Fever Tests
• Home Ear Infection Test Kits
• Home Flu Tests
• Home Strep A Tests 

Treatment for leptospirosis

The treatment of leptospirosis involves high doses of antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment (doxycycline [Vibramycin, Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox], penicillin) is most effective when initiated early in the course of the illness. Severely ill patients may need hospitalization for IV fluid and antibiotic treatment. Severe liver and kidney manifestations of the infection may require intensive medical care and sometimes dialysis treatment. However, even in severe cases, liver and kidney function often does return after recovery from the illness.
Mortality rates for severe illness with leptospirosis can range from 5%-40%, depending on the severity of organ dysfunction and the patient's general health prior to infection. Most previously healthy patients have a good prognosis and will make a full recovery.