Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira interrogans bacteria. It has an incubation period ranging from 7-19 days with an average of 10 days. People can contract it through contact with flood waters or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals like rats. Clinical manifestations include fever, muscle pain, headache, and potentially liver or kidney failure in severe cases. Diagnosis involves examining blood and CSF during the first week or urine on the 10th day. It is treated with antibiotics like penicillin prescribed by a physician.

1. LEPTOSPIROSISCausative AgentIncubation PeriodMode of TransmissionClinical ManifestationsDiagnosis and TreatmentNursing Management

2. Also called as Weils Disease, Mud Fever, Trench Fever, Flood Fever, Spiroketal Jaundice, Japanese Seven Days FeverIt is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by bacteria leptospires. Rat is the main host to leptospirosis although pigs, cattles, rabbits, hare, skunk and other wild animals serve as reservoir hosts.It is an occupational disease affecting veterinarians, miners, farmers, sewer workers, etc.What is Leptospirosis?

3. 1. Leptospiremic phase- leptospires are present in the blood and Cerebro Spinal Fluid (CSF). Onset of signs and symptoms are abrupt with fever, headache, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, cough and chest pain.2. Immune phase- correlates with the appearance of circulation IgM.Clinical Phases

4. Leptospira interrogans – gram negative, fine spiral bacteria 0.1um in diameter and 6-20 um in length. Locomotion is achieved in a fluid medium by a whirling motion around the longitudinal axis and by a serpentine or corkscrew motion in a semisolid medium.Causative Agent

5. Ranges from 7-19 days, with average of 10 days.Incubation Period

6. Entry of the leptospira bacteria through wounds when in contact with flood waters, vegetation, moist soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats.Mode of Transmission

8. FeverNon-specific symptoms of muscle pain, headacheSevere cases result to liver involvement, kidney failure or brain involvement. Thus some cases may have yellowish body discoloration, dark-colored urine and light stools, low urine output, severe headache.Clinical Manifestations

9. By presenting clinical manifestationsCulture Blood and CSF examination during the first week Urine examination on the 10th dayDiagnosis

10. Antibiotics duly prescribed by a physician.Penicillins and other B- lactam antibiotics (PCN at 2M units q6H IM/IV)Tetracycline (Doxycycline at 100mg q12H PO)Erythromycin (500mg q12H PO) – if allergic to PenicillinEarly recognition and treatment within two days of illness to prevent complications of leptospirosis, so early consultation is advised.Treatment

11. Provide education to clients telling them to avoid swimming or wading in potentially contaminated water or flood water.Use of proper protection like boots and gloves when work requires exposure to contaminated water.Drain potentially contaminated water when possible.Nursing Management

12. Control rats in the household by using rat traps or rat poison, maintaining cleanliness in the house.Isolate the patient and concurrent disinfection of soiled articles.Report all cases of leptospirosis. Chemoprophylaxis can be done in a group of high risk infected hosts.