1. Leptospirosis Leptospirosis [lep-to-spy-RO-sis]. What is Leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a potentially serious illness that can effect many parts of the Body. Leptospirosis is a potentially serious illness that can effect many parts of the Body. Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira interrogans, a corkscrew-shaped bacterium (spirochete). Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira interrogans, a corkscrew-shaped bacterium (spirochete).

2. Leptospirosis Medical professional’s Checkpoint!! “The infection may progress rapidly to fatal septicemic multisystemic failure or remain as a barely detectable subclinical illness. There is no reliable method to identify the final route of the infection from the initial stage of the disease, and all cases must be treated as potentially life-threatening.” “The infection may progress rapidly to fatal septicemic multisystemic failure or remain as a barely detectable subclinical illness. There is no reliable method to identify the final route of the infection from the initial stage of the disease, and all cases must be treated as potentially life-threatening.”

3. Leptospirosis Facts about the bacteria. The bacteria themselves cannot survive for very long unless immersed in fresh water or urine. The bacteria themselves cannot survive for very long unless immersed in fresh water or urine. Unlike viruses, bacteria are rarely airborne. They must exist immersed in water, and so except in very high vapour situations airborne infection is not a risk. Unlike viruses, bacteria are rarely airborne. They must exist immersed in water, and so except in very high vapour situations airborne infection is not a risk.

4. Leptospirosis Facts about the bacteria. There are over 200 variations of leptospira bacterium that can cause the disease. There are numerous types which are known to cause ONLY mild infection. There are over 200 variations of leptospira bacterium that can cause the disease. There are numerous types which are known to cause ONLY mild infection. All infections are classified into Icteric or Anicteric forms. All infections are classified into Icteric or Anicteric forms.

5. Leptospirosis The infection Types The Anicteric is the most common type of infection. This type is generally not Fatal, though simultaneous infections or unrelated infections may prove fatal. The Anicteric is the most common type of infection. This type is generally not Fatal, though simultaneous infections or unrelated infections may prove fatal. The Icteric ‘Weils’ infection is comparatively rare; can be fatal in severe cases, and accounts for 5 to 13% of all recorded cases. The Icteric ‘Weils’ infection is comparatively rare; can be fatal in severe cases, and accounts for 5 to 13% of all recorded cases.

6. Leptospirosis Features of Human Infection. The infection follows a biphasic course, for the first 3 to 7 days, the septic phase, the bacterium spreads throughout the blood, CSF and most body tissues. The infection follows a biphasic course, for the first 3 to 7 days, the septic phase, the bacterium spreads throughout the blood, CSF and most body tissues. Early symptoms are fever, chills, muscular aches and pains, loss of appetite, and nausea when lying down. Early symptoms are fever, chills, muscular aches and pains, loss of appetite, and nausea when lying down. Every infection has identical initial dynamics. Every infection has identical initial dynamics.

7. Leptospirosis Features of Human Infection. From 10 to 30 days the Immune phase sees the removal of the bacterium from the blood and CSF, but remains in the urine. From 10 to 30 days the Immune phase sees the removal of the bacterium from the blood and CSF, but remains in the urine. During this stage many of the body systems show detriment. During this stage many of the body systems show detriment.

8. Leptospirosis Features of Human Infection. Later symptoms include bruising of the skin, anaemia, sore eyes, nose bleeds and in severe cases jaundice, this is know as ‘Weils Disease’. Later symptoms include bruising of the skin, anaemia, sore eyes, nose bleeds and in severe cases jaundice, this is know as ‘Weils Disease’. Recovery from an infection, once the serious stages are passed is usually within 6 to 12 weeks. Recovery from an infection, once the serious stages are passed is usually within 6 to 12 weeks.

9. Leptospirosis Where is Leptospirosis found? Leptospirosis causing bacteria are common Worldwide, Especially in the tropical countries with heavy rain fall. (Ireland). Leptospirosis causing bacteria are common Worldwide, Especially in the tropical countries with heavy rain fall. (Ireland). Infected rodents and other wild and domestic animals pass the bacteria in their urine. Infected rodents and other wild and domestic animals pass the bacteria in their urine. The bacteria can live for a long time in fresh water, damp soil, vegetation, and mud. The bacteria can live for a long time in fresh water, damp soil, vegetation, and mud. Flooding after heavy rainfall helps spread the bacteria in the environment. Flooding after heavy rainfall helps spread the bacteria in the environment.

10. Leptospirosis Getting infected? In order to become infected, a quantity of the leptospira bacteria must enter your body. In order to become infected, a quantity of the leptospira bacteria must enter your body. The main routes for any bacteria to enter a human are through ingestion, inhalation, or through broken skin. The main routes for any bacteria to enter a human are through ingestion, inhalation, or through broken skin. Acquiring a leptosprial infection is not as easy as other infections, and a great deal harder than contracting some viral infections such as the common cold. Acquiring a leptosprial infection is not as easy as other infections, and a great deal harder than contracting some viral infections such as the common cold.

11. Leptospirosis Risk Situations. Thousands of sportsmen and underground/waterway workers are exposed to contaminated areas every day and the incidents of serious infection are low. Thousands of sportsmen and underground/waterway workers are exposed to contaminated areas every day and the incidents of serious infection are low. Clearly the majority of high-risk sites will have rat populations and an area of fresh water. Clearly the majority of high-risk sites will have rat populations and an area of fresh water.

12. Leptospirosis High Risk Situations. Swimming and scuba diving. Swimming and scuba diving. Kayaking and canoeing. Kayaking and canoeing. Sailing, windsurfing, fishing and skiing. Sailing, windsurfing, fishing and skiing. Caving and underground exploration. Caving and underground exploration. Cleaning and jetting operations. Cleaning and jetting operations. Animal handling, control and management. Animal handling, control and management.

13. Leptospirosis Medical professional’s Guidance The infection is extremely easy to miss in initial stages; often the symptoms are misdiagnosed as influenza, viral illness or Pyrexia of unknown origin. The infection is extremely easy to miss in initial stages; often the symptoms are misdiagnosed as influenza, viral illness or Pyrexia of unknown origin. Patients often ignore the significance of their symptoms unless prior education. Patients often ignore the significance of their symptoms unless prior education. To allow for correct diagnosis the patient must inform of having any potential or prior contact with affected areas. To allow for correct diagnosis the patient must inform of having any potential or prior contact with affected areas.

14. Leptospirosis Other Facts An infection from one strain will provide immunity but only to that strain. An infection from one strain will provide immunity but only to that strain. Exposure to other strains will still cause infection. It is usual for more than one strain to exist within a specific population of infected animals. Exposure to other strains will still cause infection. It is usual for more than one strain to exist within a specific population of infected animals. Immunity to one type is no great advantage to reducing your risk Immunity to one type is no great advantage to reducing your risk

15. Leptospirosis Urban myths – the facts: Human to human transfer is almost unheard of. Human to human transfer is almost unheard of. Saltwater, or freshwater treated with chlorine or UV sterilised, is generally safe. Saltwater, or freshwater treated with chlorine or UV sterilised, is generally safe. Any surface or object dried out completely for over an hour even if it gets wet once more, the bacteria will remain dead. Any surface or object dried out completely for over an hour even if it gets wet once more, the bacteria will remain dead. Rats are the most common carriers, but all mammals are susceptible to the illness. Rats are the most common carriers, but all mammals are susceptible to the illness. Almost every “routine” disinfectant methods will kill the bacteria. Almost every “routine” disinfectant methods will kill the bacteria. There is no human vaccine licensed for use in Europe, Asia or the USA There is no human vaccine licensed for use in Europe, Asia or the USA