Leptospirosis is a rare and severe bacterial infection that occurs when people are exposed to certain environments.
Leptospirosis is caused by exposure to several types of the Leptospira bacteria, which can be found in fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine. It occurs in warmer climates.
It is not spread from person to person, except in vary rare cases when it is transmitted through breast milk or from a mother to her unborn child.
Risk factors include:
Leptospirosis is rare in the continental United States. Hawaii has the highest number of cases in the United States.
Symptoms can take 2 - 26 days (average 10 days) to develop, and may include:
Less common symptoms include:
The blood is tested for antibodies to the bacteria.
Other tests that may be done:
Medications to treat leptospirosis include:
Complicated or serious cases may need supportive care or treatment in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU).
The outlook is generally good. However, a complicated case can be life-threatening if it is not treated promptly.
Contact your health care provider if you have any symptoms of, or risk factors for, leptospirosis.
Avoid areas of stagnant water, especially in tropical climates. If you are exposed to a high risk area, taking doxycycline or amoxicillin may decrease your risk of developing this disease.
Weil disease; Icterohemorrhagic fever; Swineherd's disease; Rice-field fever; Cane-cutter fever; Swamp fever; Mud fever; Hemorrhagic jaundice; Stuttgart disease; Canicola fever
Ko AI. Leptospirosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 344.
Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Notice: The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.