Leptospirosis Overview
Learn About Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is an infection caused by leptospira bacteria.
Weil disease; Icterohemorrhagic fever; Swineherd's disease; Rice-field fever; Cane-cutter fever; Swamp fever; Mud fever; Hemorrhagic jaundice; Stuttgart disease; Canicola fever
Leptospira bacteria can be found in fresh water that has been soiled by animal urine. You may get infected if you consume or come in contact with contaminated water or soil. The infection occurs in warmer climates. Leptospirosis is not spread from person to person, except in very rare cases.
Risk factors include:
- Occupational exposure -- farmers, ranchers, slaughterhouse workers, trappers, veterinarians, loggers, sewer workers, rice field workers, and military personnel
- Recreational activities -- fresh water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and trail biking in warm areas
- Household exposure -- pet dogs, domesticated livestock, rainwater catchment systems, and infected rodents
Weil disease, a severe form of leptospirosis, is rare in the continental United States. Hawaii has the highest number of cases in the United States.
Symptoms can take 2 to 30 days (average 10 days) to develop, and may include:
- Dry cough
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Shaking chills
Less common symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Abnormal lung sounds
- Bone pain
- Conjunctival (surface of the whites of the eyes) redness without fluid
- Enlarged lymph glands
- Enlarged spleen or liver
- Joint aches
- Muscle rigidity
- Muscle tenderness
- Skin rash
- Sore throat
Medicines to treat leptospirosis include:
- Ampicillin
- Azithromycin
- Ceftriaxone
- Doxycycline
- Penicillin
Complicated or serious cases may need supportive care. You may need treatment in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU).
The Emory Clinic Inc
Jesse Waggoner is an Infectious Disease provider in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Waggoner and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Leptospirosis. His top areas of expertise are Dengue Fever, Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, Togaviridae Disease, and Zika Virus Disease. Dr. Waggoner is currently accepting new patients.
William Bower is an Infectious Disease provider in Tucker, Georgia. Dr. Bower and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Leptospirosis. His top areas of expertise are Anthrax Infection, Leptospirosis, Melioidosis, and Meningitis.
Eric Halsey is an Infectious Disease provider in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Halsey and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Leptospirosis. His top areas of expertise are Dengue Fever, Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, Malaria, and Togaviridae Disease. Dr. Halsey is currently accepting new patients.
The outlook is generally good. However, a complicated case can be fatal if it is not treated promptly.
Complications may include:
- Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction when penicillin is given
- Meningitis
- Severe bleeding
Contact your health care provider if you have any symptoms of, or risk factors for, leptospirosis.
Avoid areas of stagnant water or floodwater, especially in tropical climates. If you are exposed to a high risk area, take precautions to avoid infection. Wear protective clothing, shoes, or boots when near water or soil contaminated with animal urine. You can take doxycycline to decrease the risk.
Summary: Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic diseases caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. Human are accidental hosts, who acquired infections after exposition to animal urine, contaminated water or soil, infected tissue. Incidence of invasive leptospirosis disease causing acute kidney injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), myocarditis, hepatic dysfunction, hemorrhage and multi-organ failure...
Summary: Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by spirochetes, pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. It is transmitted to humans through mucocutaneous lesions by contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of animal reservoirs (rats, dogs, pigs, cattle, etc.). Exposure to fresh water, contact with water or soil contaminated with animal waste are the main risk factors. This disease is an import...
Published Date: August 29, 2024
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Haake DA. Leptospirosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 298.
Haake DA, Levett PN. Leptospira species (leptospirosis). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 239.
Nemhauser J, Halsey E. CDC Yellow Book 2024: Health Information for International Travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/yellowbook-home. Updated August 15, 2023. Accessed September 30, 2024.