Complications of leptospirosis can cause kidney damage to death if not treated
One of the diseases that need to be watched out for during the rainy season is leptospirosis. This disease is prone to attack people who live and work in flooded areas or lots of inundation.
What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is diseases that are transmitted from urine or mouse urine. This disease originates from infection with leptospira bacteria.
These bacteria can survive in puddles of water, for example when a flood occurs. Transmission of this disease from rat urine to humans through mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose and unclean food.
So what is the danger of leptospirosis for humans? Following Popmama.com summarize more information.
1. Transmission of leptospirosis from mouse urine to humans
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It has been explained in part above that this disease can be transmitted from mouse urine to the human body through mucous membranes.
In addition, other things to watch out for are transmission through skin abrasions and accidentally exposed to leptospira bacteria.
This disease is prone to attack people who live or work in flooded areas, are active in rivers or lakes or puddles of rice fields barefoot, or come in contact with animals infected with leptospira bacteria.
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2. Characteristics of people affected by leptospirosis
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There are several characteristics that can be recognized by someone experiencing leptospirosis. Some of these characteristics can be different for each individual who experiences them.
- Body shivering with cold.
- Cough.
- Diarrhea.
- Sudden headache.
- High fever.
- Muscle ache.
- Drowned body.
- No appetite.
- Red eyes like irritation.
Some people who have leptospirosis will show symptoms 2 weeks after they are infected. In some cases, the symptoms of leptospirosis do not appear at all.
However, in most patients, symptoms of this disease appear within 2 days to 4 weeks after exposure to Leptospira bacteria. When we finish our activities in a flooded area and feel the symptoms above, please contact the doctor immediately.
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3. The danger of leptospirosis for humans, it can damage the kidneys you know
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If treated leptospirosis is easily cured with antibiotics. However, the treatment should be done quickly.
Because, if treated without proper treatment, leptospirosis can cause complications. Even the complications can be fatal. The following are complications caused by leptospirosis:
- Kidney damage.
- Causes inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
- Trigger liver failure.
- Causes acute respiratory distress.
When the disease gets worse, people with leptospirosis can experience symptoms of calf pain, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, skin rashes, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and even death.
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4. Prevention of leptospirosis
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There are several ways to prevent leptospirosis. This is especially important for people who are active in flooded areas or live there, namely:
- Wear protective clothing, gloves, boots, and eye protection when working in areas at risk of transmitting leptospira bacteria (flood areas, puddles, etc.)
- Cover the wound with a waterproof plaster, especially before coming into contact with water in the wild.
- Avoid direct contact with contaminated water, such as swimming or bathing.
- Drink clean drinking water.
- Wash hands before eating and after contact with animals.
- Keep the environment clean and ensure the home environment is free from mice.
- Vaccinate pets or livestock, besides rats there are dogs, pigs, horses and cows that are likely to transmit this disease.
That was information about the dangers of Leptospirosis that you need to watch out for during the rainy season because of its transmission. Hopefully this rainy season we and our families can stay healthy, Mom!
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