How to Treat Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a very serious infection that can damage your kidneys, create liver problems, trigger respiratory problems, create respiratory problems or threaten your life when left untreated. Here is a list of people who are susceptible contracting leptospirosis, its symptoms and how to treat it.
Who is at Risk?
Generally speaking, people who are more exposed to animals are more susceptible to leptospirosis. People who have had to wade through muddy areas are also at risk at contracting leptospirosis. Consider the following people as high risk in contracting the disease.
Farmers
Veterinarians
Sewer
Dairy farmers
Fishermen
Flood victims trapped in floods
People who drink from streams or creeks
People who swim in contaminated water
Open wounds in your body like scratches can become entryways for the leptospirosis to move from the water in your body. That’s why it’s important to wear protective gear if you have to wade through floodwater.
Symptoms
Once you contract leptospirosis, you’ll start displaying its symptoms within ten years since contracting it. It can last for three months when left untreated. Here are the symptoms:
High fever
Diarrhea
Rashes
Muscle aches
Chills
Severe headaches
Vomiting
Red eyes
Jaundice
Stomach pain
Vomiting
Once you observe these symptoms manifesting in someone you know, act now. Here’s how you can treat leptospirosis quickly.
Treatment
Once leptospirosis makes itself known to you, you can try amoxicillin, ampicillin or doxycline. Doxycycline should not be given to pregnant women and children under the age of eight.
If the leptospirosis is already severe, start administrating antibiotics. Antibiotics can still effectively fight against leptospirosis for four days after the symptoms have begun to show. Depending on the case, you may need to feed the antibiotics intravenously.
Penicillin G should be used for patients who are suffering from severe leptospirosis. However, you can also use ampicillin, amoxicillin and erythromycin. The doctor may also recommend other medication for the patient.
If the infection has spread to major organs in your body, the patient must be placed under careful observation as the infection affects the blood, kidneys, liver and central nervous system. Patients who have experienced renal failure due to the disease must be placed on dialysis, and you may need to look for blood donors.
Home care is not recommended for those who are suffering from leptospirosis. It’s recommended that you take the patient to receive expert care from the professionals.
If this article interests you, you may want to read the article on How to Prevent Leptospirosis.