Leptospirosis
What is Leptospirosis?
It is a bacterial infection that spreads through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months.
Leptospirosis – Cause
Reservoir hosts are animals that harbor or nourish a pathogen and
serves as a source of infection.
serves as a source of infection.
Leptospirosis – Symptoms
How is leptospirosis diagnosed?
Your doctor would clinically suspect leptospirosis mainly based on your recent exposure to contaminated water and with the presence of open wounds on your exposed skin.
However, the final diagnosis of leptospirosis can only be done through specific lab tests.
How is leptospirosis treated?
Mild leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics like doxycycline, ampicillin, or amoxicillin.
For severe leptospirosis, intravenous penicillin G has long been the drug of choice, although the third-generation cephalosporins cefotaxime and ceftriaxone have become widely used.
Your doctor may add other forms of medical management based on the severity of the condition and complications, if any.
What measures can be taken to prevent leptospirosis?
Ensure that you avoid walking through dirty contaminated rain water, especially during floods
Ensure that no wounds or cuts on your skin remain open and unattended to.
