Leptospirosis is a rare, severe, and contagious bacterial infection.
Weil disease; Icterohemorrhagic fever; Swineherd's disease; Rice-field fever; Cane-cutter fever; Swamp fever; Mud fever; Hemorrhagic jaundice; Stuttgart disease; Canicola fever
Leptospirosis is caused by exposure to several types of the Leptospira bacteria, which can be found in fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine. It occurs in warmer climates.
Risk factors include:
Leptospirosis is rare in the continental U.S. Hawaii has the highest number of cases in the U.S.
Symptoms can take 2 - 26 days (average 10 days) to develop, and may include:
Less common symptoms include:
The blood is tested for antibodies to the bacteria.
Other tests that may be done:
Medications to treat leptospirosis include:
Complicated cases will need supportive care.
The outlook is generally good. However, a complicated case can be life-threatening if it is not treated promptly.
Contact your health care provider if you have any symptoms of, or risk factors for leptospirosis.
Avoid areas of stagnant water, especially in tropical climates. If you are exposed to a high risk area, taking doxycycline may decrease your risk of developing disease.
Ko AI. Leptospirosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 344.
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Reviewer Info: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 08/03/2008 |