What Is Leptospirosis? What Causes Leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a fairly uncommon bacterial infection caused by a strain ofLeptospira. It is most commonly transmitted from animals to humans when people with unhealed breaks in the skin, come into contact with water or soil that has been contaminated with animal urine - the bacterium can also enter the body through the eyes or mucous membranes. Typically, the animals that transmit the infection to humans include rats, skunks, opossums, foxes, raccoons and other vermin. 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. Types of Leptospirosis, there are two main types: • Mild Leptospirosis - the patient experiences muscle pains, chills and possibly aheadache. 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 • 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
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 05:36:26 +0000
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