Leptospirosis is an infection caused by bacteria. People usually get it by drinking or swimming or wading in fresh water that has the bacteria in it. The most common source of the bacteria is urine from infected animals. Leptospirosis can cause a high fever, a bad headache, a cough, chills, and muscle aches. You also may have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash. If not treated, you may develop other symptoms, such as skin bruises and eye problems.
Antibiotics can cure the infection. It is important to get treatment, because this disease can cause organ damage. With antibiotics and care at home, you should get better in a few days or weeks.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that is usually spread through water, food, or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals. Dogs and rats are the most common domestic animals that spread the infection to people.
Symptoms of leptospirosis, if they develop, often begin suddenly and may include severe headache, sensitivity to light, sweating, chills, muscle aches, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, red eyes, rash, and a high fever.
If the disease is not treated, recovery may take several months, and serious health problems may result, such as kidney damage or liver failure. In rare cases, death may occur.
Leptospirosis is diagnosed with laboratory tests of blood or urine samples and is treated with antibiotics.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.
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