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Alternative names Return to top
Weil disease; Icterohemorrhagic fever; Swineherd's disease; Rice-field fever; Cane-cutter fever; Swamp fever; Mud fever; Hemorrhagic jaundice; Stuttgart disease; Canicola feverDefinition Return to top
Leptospirosis is a rare, severe, and contagious bacterial infection caused by several species of the genus Leptospira, a spiral-shaped microorganism (spirochete).Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Leptospirosis is caused by exposure to the bacteria, which can be found in fresh water contaminated by animal urine. It occurs in warmer climates.
Risk factors include:
The incidence of leptospirosis is low in the continental U.S. Hawaii has the highest number of cases in the U.S.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
Penicillins, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and erythromycin can be given to treat leptospirosis. Supportive care needs to be given in complicated cases.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Generally good, although deaths do occur in complicated cases if not treated promptly.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
If you have any of the signs, symptoms, or risk factors for leptospirosis, contact your health care provider.Prevention Return to top
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. Update Date: 7/16/2004 Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |