Leptospirosis (patient information)

Leptospirosis is an infection that occurs when you come in contact with Leptospira bacteria.

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

• 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
• Sore throat

The Leptospira bacteria can be found in fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine. The infection occurs in warmer climates.

Leptospirosis is not spread from person to person, except in vary rare cases. It occasionally spreads through sexual intercourse, breast milk, or from a mother to her unborn child.

Risk factors include:

• Occupational exposure — farmers, ranchers, slaughterhouse workers, trappers, veterinarians, loggers, sewer workers, rice field workers, and military personnel
• Recreational activities — fresh water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and trail biking in warm areas
• Household exposure — pet dogs, domesticated livestock, rainwater catchment systems, and infected rodents

Leptospirosis is rare in the continental United States. Hawaii has the highest number of cases in the United States. Recent out break of leptospirosis is reported in Bronx, New York and found 3 cases in the months January and February, 2017.

Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Many different kinds of animals carry the bacterium; they may become sick but sometimes have no symptoms. Leptospira organisms have been found in cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, rodents, and wild animals. Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water or through skin contact, especially with mucosal surfaces, such as the eyes or nose, or with broken skin. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person.

Contact your health care provider if you have any symptoms of, or risk factors for, leptospirosis.

Medications to treat leptospirosis include:

• Ampicillin
• Azithromycin
• Ceftriaxone
• Doxycycline
• Penicillin

Complicated or serious cases may need supportive care or treatment in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU).

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-262-4636)/TTY 1-888-232-6348 or

visit the website at http://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/

The risk of acquiring leptospirosis can be greatly reduced by not swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine. Protective clothing or footwear should be worn by those exposed to contaminated water or soil because of their job or recreational activities.

The outlook is generally good. However, a complicated case can be life threatening if it is not treated promptly.

• Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction when penicillin is given
• Meningitis
• Severe bleeding

http://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/resources/index.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001376.htm