| Leptospirosis is a potentially dangerous bacterial infection which is common in tropical areas. It is transmitted to humans by infected animals especially rodents. These animals pass the bacteria in their urine which gets into the soil, vegetation, fresh water, and flood water. A person who comes in contact with the contaminated water or soil by means of swimming or wading in these areas acquires the infection.  The bacteria enters the body through the mucous membrane or through breaks in the skin. They can also be swallowed if present in contaminated drinking water. Once inside the body, they multiply in the blood and tissue and produce several signs and symptoms. Among them are headache, fever, chills, muscle pains especially in the gastrocnemius muscle, eye inflammation, nausea, and vomiting. The bacteria primarily affects the liver and kidney producing a severe condition leading to kidney failure, liver damage, jaundice, and internal bleeding.
Farmers and children who love to wade in flood waters are the people at risk of having the condition. If the condition is left untreated, this might lead to damage of the internal organs and possibly lead to death. Antibiotics given as soon as possible will treat the condition. |
