An infectious disease called leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria. This infection spreads to humans through rats. This infection can occur when food, water or soil that has come in contact with animal urine comes in contact with the nose, mouth, eyes or wounded skin.
According to an estimate, every year more than one million (10 lakh) people fall prey to this infection. Let us know about this infectious disease.
You can become infected with Leptospira through a scratch or cut on the skin or through the eyes, nose or mouth. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted between animals and humans. These bacteria are found more in waterlogged places during rainy season.
Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan of the Kerala unit of the Indian Medical Association says, 10 percent of people infected with leptospirosis die, therefore, it is important for those who are showing symptoms of infection to consult a doctor in time and get treatment. If the disease is not identified on time, there can be a higher risk of the disease taking a serious form and becoming fatal.
In case of leptospirosis infection, patients initially show flu-like symptoms, however, in severe cases, there can be a risk of internal bleeding and organ damage. In the initial stages of infection, problems like high fever, eye infection-redness, headache, chills, muscle pain, diarrhea and jaundice occur. In severe conditions, there may be symptoms of internal bleeding like coughing up blood (hemoptysis), chest pain, difficulty in breathing, blood in urine.
The condition of leptospirosis infection can be serious and even fatal in some cases. Due to lack of timely treatment or excessive spread of infection, difficulty in breathing and meningitis occur. In meningitis, the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord become inflamed.
Due to the severity of the infection, there is also a risk of kidney and liver failure, which is considered fatal.
Since leptospirosis infection is caused by bacteria, the symptoms can be relieved with the help of some types of antibiotics. Health experts say that all people should make continuous efforts to prevent infectious diseases.
To avoid risks, it is most important that you avoid coming in contact with contaminated water. Also maintain distance from contact with animals. Use clean water for drinking or boil water, cool it and drink it. If you have a wound somewhere on your body, take proper care of it.
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Sources and references
Leptospirosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis
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