What is Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that consists of a group of Weil's syndrome, Spiroketal Jaundice (jaundice) and Fever Kanikola.


CAUSE
Leptospira bacteria. Leptospirosis occurs in many wild animals. Some animals act as carriers and remove bacteria in the urine (rat urine), while others can become ill and die. Humans get this infection through contact with animals or urine.

Although leptospirosis is a disease due to work on farmers, workers in abattoirs and workers gutter (gutter), but many people who become infected by certain activities such as swimming in contaminated water.


SYMPTOMS
The symptoms usually occur within 2-20 days after infection with the bacteria. Disease usually begins suddenly denagn presence of fever, headache, severe muscle aches and chills. Symptoms of the lungs (coughing blood) occurs in 10-15% of patients. Episodes of fever and chills, which often reaches 38.9? Celsius lasts for 4-9 days. Conjunctivitis (infection of the lining of the eyeball and eyelid) appears on the third or fourth day.

Fever will disappear for a few days, but will appear again together with other symptoms at day 6 to 12. At this time, usually there is inflammation of the brain lining (meningitis), causing a stiff neck, headache and sometimes loss of consciousness (stupor or coma).

These symptoms are not as a result of infection of the lining of the brain, but were the result of inflammation caused by toxic effects on the body is trying to destroy the bacteria. A pregnant woman infected with leptospirosis can experience a miscarriage.


Weil's syndrome

Is a more severe form of leptospirosis which causes a continuous fever, loss of consciousness and the reduced ability of blood to clot, causing bleeding in the network. The early symptoms of Weil's syndrome is lighter than leptospirosis.

Blood tests showed anemia. In the curry to-3 until day 6, there are signs of kidney and liver damage. The patient will feel pain during urination or bloody urine. Liver damage is usually mild and will recover completely. Patients who did not experience jaundice usually resolves. Indicate the presence of jaundice and liver disorders can raise the risk of death to 10% in patients over 60 years.


Diagnosis
Diagnosis depends on detecting bacteria in blood cultures, urine or cerebrospinal fluid, or by the discovery of antibodies against the bacteria in the blood.


TREATMENT
When outbreaks occur, can be given antibiotic doxycycline for prevention. To treat the disease, given penicillin, ampicillin, or other similar antibiotics. In severe cases, antibiotics are given intravenously (through a vein).


PREVENTION
Patients do not need to be isolated, but must be careful when handling and disposing of the urine.