Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, caused by the bacteria genus Leptospira, that can cause a variety of symptoms and which, untreated, may lead to meningitis, kidney damage, or even death (“Leptospirosis”). Leptospires, bacteria of the genus Leptospira, appear as tightly coiled spirals and achieve optimal growth at 28-30°C, thriving in warm and humid regions. However, because most tropical, humid countries are also developing counties, chances of exposure are greater in those areas (Levett). Prevalent in Ecuador, New Guinea, and Guyana (see Figure 1), each with over 100 cases per 100,000 people, leptospirosis is a growing afflication in many Latin American, African, and Asian countries. (Greenwood). While no governmental organizations
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Illness can occur anywhere from 2 days to 4 weeks after exposure and begins with a fever, often accompanied by other symptoms, which may include chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea. This constitutes the first phase of the illness, after which the infected individual will recover. However, after this reprise from symptoms, the individual may enter phase two of the sickness, also called Weil’s disease, characterized by jaundice, abdominal pain, rashes, red eyes, kidney failure, liver failure, or meningitis (“Signs and Symptoms”). In addition to these symptoms, leptospirosis in this stage may also cause haemorrhages, myocarditis with arrhythmias, and pulmonary haemorrhages with subsequent respiratory failure (“Human Leptospirosis: Guidance” 17). The total duration of the illness may span up to 3 weeks, but, without treatment, recovery may take months (“Signs and …show more content…
Less severe cases require oral antibiotics, such as penicillin and ampicillin, while more severe cases require high doses of intravenous penicillin. However, all treatment should begin before day five of the illness due to the controversy surrounding the effectiveness of treatment after that day (“Human Leptospirosis: Guidance” 19). When hospitalization becomes necessary, especially following renal care, studies show that supportive care, attention to fluid and electrolyte balance, and dialysis, can reduce the illness’ mortality (“Human Leptospirosis: Guidance”
Illness can occur anywhere from 2 days to 4 weeks after exposure and begins with a fever, often accompanied by other symptoms, which may include chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea. This constitutes the first phase of the illness, after which the infected individual will recover. However, after this reprise from symptoms, the individual may enter phase two of the sickness, also called Weil’s disease, characterized by jaundice, abdominal pain, rashes, red eyes, kidney failure, liver failure, or meningitis (“Signs and Symptoms”). In addition to these symptoms, leptospirosis in this stage may also cause haemorrhages, myocarditis with arrhythmias, and pulmonary haemorrhages with subsequent respiratory failure (“Human Leptospirosis: Guidance” 17). The total duration of the illness may span up to 3 weeks, but, without treatment, recovery may take months (“Signs and …show more content…
Less severe cases require oral antibiotics, such as penicillin and ampicillin, while more severe cases require high doses of intravenous penicillin. However, all treatment should begin before day five of the illness due to the controversy surrounding the effectiveness of treatment after that day (“Human Leptospirosis: Guidance” 19). When hospitalization becomes necessary, especially following renal care, studies show that supportive care, attention to fluid and electrolyte balance, and dialysis, can reduce the illness’ mortality (“Human Leptospirosis: Guidance”