Every thing you want to know about Leptospirosis:

Leptospirosis

Definition:

-          zoonotic infectious bacterial disease carried by animals, both domestic and wild, whose urine contaminates water or food which is ingested or inoculated through the skin.

Etiologic Agent: Leptospira (Leptospira interrogans)

Incubation Period: 6 – 15 days

Period of Communicability

Leptospira is found in the urine between 10 to 20 days after the onset.

Sources of infection of Leptospirosis:

3. Rats

4. Dogs

5. Mice

Mode of Transmission of Leptospirosis:

1. Through ingestion or contact with the skin and mucous membrane of the infected urine or carcasses of wild and domestic animals.

2. Leptospira enters the blood to cause damage, thereafter, in the kidneys, the liver, meninges, and conjunctivae.

Clinical Manifestation of Leptospirosis:

1. Fever lasting 4 – 7 days

2. Chills, headache, anorexia, abdominal pain

3. With or without jaundice

4. Convulsions

Management of Leptospirosis:

Medical

1. Penicillin G Na

2. Tetracycline

3. Peritoneal Dialysis

4. Administration of fluid and electrolyte and blood as indicated.

Nursing of Leptospirosis:

1. Isolate the patient, urine must be properly disposed of.

2. Keep patient under close surveillance.

3. For home care, dirty places, pools, and stagnant water must be cleaned.

4. Eradicate rats and rodents.

Prevention and Control of Leptospirosis:

·         Sanitation in homes, workplaces, and farms is a must.

·         There is a need for proper drainage system and control of rodents.

·         Animals must be vaccinated.

·         Infected humans and pets should be treated.

·         Information-dissemination campaign must be conducted effectively.