Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease) | Medtick

Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease)

What is it?

A bacterial infection carried by animals and rats excreted in their urine that mainly affect farmers, doing outdoor activities (gardening) or those swimming in contaminated water and if not treated it can cause meningitis.

  • Signs and swelling of liver and kidney as well as liver and kidney dysfunction (blood in urine) usually appear from the 3rd to the 6th day.

Diagnosis tests

  • PCR tests
    • Blood tests (first 5- 7 days)
    • Urine tests (later)
  • Serological testing:
    • MAT (Microscopic Agglutination Test)
    • ELISA (IgM detection)
  • Blood tests
  • Culture tests
  • Microscopy tests
  • Meningitis tests
  • Urine tests

 

Countries affected are:

Caribbean

  • Dominican Republic
  • Puerto Rico

Europe & Russia

  • France (Corsica)

Africa

  • Réunion

Asia

  • Malaysia (Sarawak, Sabah)
  • India
  • Japan
  • Philippines
  • Sri Lanka
  • Thailand

Australasia and Pacific

  • Fiji

Cause

  • Bacteria: Leptospira
  • Entry through cuts, eyes, mouth, or nose
  • From infected soil or contaminated water
  • Contact with urine from infected animals:
    • Cattle, pigs, dogs and rodents, particularly rats.

Symptoms

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours and can be recurrent for several weeks?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Swollen lymph glands (lumps on side of neck, armpits, and groin) and/or reoccurring mouth ulcers?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness (severe)?
  • Swollen or sticky eye or sensitive to light?
  • Nose bleeds?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
  • Coughing up blood?
  • Flat red rash?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:


This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • Medical News Today

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  • Medscape (Professional level)

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  • Pharmaceutical Journal (Professional level)

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  • NHS

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

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  • Mayo Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

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  • Verywell Health

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  • Nathnac

    Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.

  • DR Axe

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  • Better health - NHS

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