Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by Leptospira bacteria, most commonly spread through contact with infected animal urine or contaminated water. Floods can spread leptospirosis by contaminating water with infected animal urine. Symptoms are non-specific but often include fever, headache, and muscle aches. Leptospirosis should be suspected in patients with a history of exposure to contaminated water or animals. Diagnostic tests include culture, PCR, and antibody tests of blood serum. To prevent leptospirosis, avoid contact with contaminated animals or water, especially during floods. Prophylactic antibiotics may be considered after high-risk exposures like wading in floodwaters with open wounds.

1. LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD
August 5, 2023
1400H - 1500H
Via Zoom
Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
essential
understanding of
LEPTOSPIROSIS AND
FLOOD in their
health management.

2. LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD
August 5, 2023
1400H - 1500H
Via Zoom
Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
essential
understanding of
LEPTOSPIROSIS AND
FLOOD in their
health management.
Welcome all!
MUTE yourself but always
show your video picture.
Sign in your name, FB
account, or email address in
the Chat Box! Include names
of companions attending.
Use the Chat Box to ask
questions and make
comments while the PEP TALK
is on.
There will be group pictures
at start and end of PEP TALK –
show your face in video.

3. Reminder after the PEP
Talk:
Take the Online Learning
cum Evaluation Test
Exercise (OLETE) for
mastery of learning and
have a perfect score to get
a Certificate.
Link is in Chat Box.

4. Reminder:
50 OLETE Certificates = 1
Voucher for ROJoson
Telemedical Consultation

5. Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
essential
understanding of
LEPTOSPIROSIS AND
FLOOD in their
health management.
ROJOSON’S REQUEST:
FEEDBACK TO THIS
PEP TALK!
Pls. type in your
feedback in the chat
box during the open
forum and before we
adjourn!
Thank you!
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

6. Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
essential
understanding of
LEPTOSPIROSIS AND
FLOOD in their
health management.
LET’S NOW HAVE A
GROUP PICTURE
TAKING BEFORE WE
START PEP TALK
PROPER IN 2
MINUTES!
Pls. turn on your
video!
Show your face!
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

7. Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
essential
understanding of
LEPTOSPIROSIS AND
FLOOD in their
health management.
ROJoson PEP Talk
I have a Patient
Empowerment
Program in which I
like to empower the
lay people or
patients to take
control in the
management of
their health.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

8. I started the PEP Talk
on May 15, 2021.
There are 3 courses
in the PEP Talk.
I completed the Core
Course on October 9,
2021.

9. From October 23,
2021 onwards, I have
been tackling Health
Disorder and Health
Issue Courses. This
may take 3 years or
longer depending on
our enthusiasm,
discipline and
perseverance.

10. Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
essential
understanding of
LEPTOSPIROSIS AND
FLOOD in their
health management.
My PEP TALK today is
entitled:
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and
FLOOD.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

11. Contents
• What is leptospirosis?
• How does one get leptospirosis?
• What is the connection between leptospirosis
and floods?
• When to suspect leptospirosis?
• What are the diagnostic tests for leptospirosis?
• How does one avoid leptospirosis?
• How does one avoid leptospirosis during
floods?
• When to consider prophylaxis against
leptospirosis?
• What is the usual treatment for leptospirosis?
Disclaimer:
ROJoson PEP Talk
contains ROJoson’s
Thoughts, Perceptions,
Opinions and
Recommendations
(TPORs) culled from
experiences of other
professionals and
ROJoson.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

12. What is leptospirosis?
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

13. What is leptospirosis?
Overview of the disease
• Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and
animals.
• It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.
• In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of
which may be mistaken for other diseases. Some infected
persons, however, may have no symptoms at all.
• Without treatment, Leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage,
meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain
and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even
death.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

14. What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria belonging
to the genus Leptospira, and is transmitted directly or indirectly
from animals to humans.
Leptospirosis is a major direct zoonosis (an infectious disease that
can be transmitted from non-human animals).
Human-to-human transmission occurs only very rarely.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

15. What is leptospirosis?
What animals are usually infected with leptospira?
• Rodents
• Cattle
• Pigs
• Horses
• Dogs
• Wild animals
Rats and other rodents are the main carriers of the bacteria.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

16. How does one get leptospirosis?
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

17. What does one get leptospirosis?
Contact with
infected animal urine
and/or
contaminated water, soil or food.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

18. What does one get leptospirosis?
The most common ways to get infected
is through urine of infected animals or
contaminated water getting in the eyes, nose,
mouth, or broken skin (such as a cut or scratch).
One can also get infected by eating
contaminated food or drinking contaminated
water.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

19. What is the connection between leptospirosis
and floods?
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

20. What is the connection between leptospirosis
and floods?
Flood water may be contaminated with urine of
infected animals either from the contaminated
soil, from sewage, from other surfaces or from
the infected living animals peeing into the water.
Persons wading through the flood that is
potentially contaminated with leptospira are at
risk of getting leptospirosis.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

21. When to suspect leptospirosis?
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

22. When to suspect leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis should be suspected in any patient
with a history of risk exposure and with flu-like
symptoms. There may be other symptoms on
top of the flu-like symptoms like symptoms of
organ dysfunction on the brain, heart, kidney,
and liver.
Presence of symptoms of organ dysfunctions
connotes severe leptospirosis.
The incubation period ranges from 2 to 30 days.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

23. When to suspect leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis should be suspected in any patient
with a history of risk exposure and with flu-like
symptoms. There may be other symptoms on
top of the flu-like symptoms like symptoms of
organ dysfunction on the brain, heart, kidney,
and liver.
Presence of symptoms of organ dysfunctions
connotes severe leptospirosis.
The incubation period ranges from 2 to 30 days.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD
Symptoms are non-specific.
(FLU-like symptoms – fever,
headache, myalgia, cough, rashes,
etc.)
Differential or possible diagnoses:
COVID19
FLU
DENGUE
LEPTOSPIROSIS
Others
BUT SUSPECT LEPTOSPIROSIS if there
is recent risk exposure such as
wading through floods within 2 to 30
days.

24. What are the diagnostic tests for leptospirosis?
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

25. What are the diagnostic tests for leptospirosis?
Molecular tests
• Culture
• PCR
Serologic tests
MICROSCOPIC AGGLUTINATION TEST
It checks your blood serum for leptospirosis
antibodies.
Others
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

26. How does one avoid leptospirosis?
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

27. How does one avoid leptospirosis?
• To reduce risk, avoid animal urine and contact
with water especially flood which are
potentially contaminated with leptospira.
• Avoid water and foods potentially
contaminated with leptospira.
• Always wear protective equipment if working
with animals.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

28. How does one avoid leptospirosis?
For those with pets,
Check for leptospira as much as possible. If
positive, treat by veterinarian.
Other preventive measures:
• Avoid touching your pet’s urine.
• If your pet pees in the house, clean it
immediately.
• Have your pet pee away from bodies of water
or places people will touch, like benches.
• Wash your hands after touching your pet.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

29. How does one avoid leptospirosis during floods?
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

30. How does one avoid leptospirosis during floods?
• Avoid wading through floodwaters if one can avoid it.
• If not, wear waterproof protective clothing, shoes or boots.
• If coming into contact with floodwater, wash the area with soap and
clean water as soon as possible. If soap or water not available, use
alcohol-based wipes or sanitizer.
• If with wounds coming into contact with floodwater, wash with soap
and water very thoroughly. Consider consulting a physicians for
prophylaxis against leptospirosis.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

31. When to consider prophylaxis against
leptospirosis?
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

32. When to consider prophylaxis against
leptospirosis?
Prophylaxis against leptospirosis
means decreasing the likelihood of leptospirosis
infection.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

33. When to consider prophylaxis against leptospirosis?
Consider prophylaxis when there is a significant risk for
leptospirosis infection.
Automatically, there is a risk -
When a body and a body wound are exposed unavoidably to
floodwater that is potentially contaminated with leptospira (and
other germs).
Factors to consider in prophylaxis:
• Duration of exposure and presence of body wounds exposed
• Low, moderate and high risk
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

34. When to consider prophylaxis against leptospirosis?
DOH classifies the risk as follows:
LOW-RISK EXPOSURE is defined as those individuals with a single history
of wading in flood or contaminated water without wounds, cuts or open
lesions of the skin.
MODERATE-RISK EXPOSURE is defined as those individuals with a single
history of wading in flood or contaminated water and the presence of
wounds, cuts, or open lesions of the skin, OR accidental ingestion of
contaminated water.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

35. When to consider prophylaxis against leptospirosis?
DOH classifies the risk as follows:
HIGH-RISK EXPOSURE is defined as those individuals with continuous
exposure (those having more than a single exposure or several days such
as those residing in flooded areas, rescuers and relief workers) of wading
in flood or contaminated water with or without wounds, cuts or open
lesions of the skin. Swimming in flooded waters especially in urban areas
infested with domestic/ sewer rats and ingestion of contaminated water
are also considered high risk exposures.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

36. When to consider prophylaxis against leptospirosis?
*MODIFIED from San Lazaro Hospital’s Guideline on Prophylaxis for
Leptospirosis 2009
Low risk - Doxycycline 200 mg single dose within 24 to 72 hours from
exposure
Moderate risk - Doxycycline 200 mg once daily for 3-5 days to be started
immediately within 24 to 72 hours from exposure
High risk - Doxycycline 200 mg once weekly until the end of exposure
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

37. When to consider prophylaxis against leptospirosis?
*MODIFIED from San Lazaro Hospital’s Guideline on Prophylaxis for
Leptospirosis 2009
For pregnant women
• Amoxicillin 500 mg/tab 1 tab BID x 3 days
• If allergic to amoxicillin, may give erythromycin 250 mg BID x 3 days
For children
• Doxycycline 4mg/kg single dose, Max: 200mg
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

38. When to consider prophylaxis against
leptospirosis?
Take note:
• Most important prophylaxis is to wash body /
body wounds exposed to floodwater as soon
as possible.
• Maintain a good body resistance always
through healthy lifestyle. This may prevent
clinical symptomatic leptospirosis and also
progression to severe leptospirosis.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

39. What is the usual treatment for leptospirosis?
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

40. What is the usual treatment for leptospirosis?
If the infection is mild, doxycycline is a drug of
choice; alternative options include ampicillin,
amoxicillin, or azithromycin.
If the infection is moderate to severe,
intravenous penicillin G, third-generation
cephalosporins, or erythromycin.
Other treatment – high oral fluid, REST, healthy
diet, healthy mind, moderate exercise and other
meds as needed.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

41. Contents
• What is leptospirosis?
• How does one get leptospirosis?
• What is the connection between leptospirosis
and floods?
• When to suspect leptospirosis?
• What are the diagnostic tests for leptospirosis?
• How does one avoid leptospirosis?
• How does one avoid leptospirosis during
floods?
• When to consider prophylaxis against
leptospirosis?
• What is the usual treatment for leptospirosis?
Disclaimer:
ROJoson PEP Talk
contains ROJoson’s
Thoughts, Perceptions,
Opinions and
Recommendations
(TPORs) culled from
experiences of other
professionals and
ROJoson.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD
Summary
Take Away

42. Be always in touch with reliable medical
information on LEPTOSPIROSIS and
FLOOD.
Knowledge is power; it gives power.
Use the 4Ks of Patient Empowerment:
Kaalaman, Kakayanan, Karapatan and
Kapangyarihan
to gain greater control over decisions /
make better decisions on LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD in their health management.
Take Away in
relation to
Patient
Empowerment
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

43. Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
essential
understanding of
LEPTOSPIROSIS AND
FLOOD in their
health management.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

44. Reminder after the PEP
Talk:
Take the Online Learning
cum Evaluation Test
Exercise (OLETE) for
mastery of learning and
have a perfect score to get
a Certificate.
Link is in Chat Box.

45. Reminder:
50 OLETE Certificates = 1
Voucher for ROJoson
Telemedical Consultation

46. Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
essential
understanding of
LEPTOSPIROSIS AND
FLOOD in their
health management.
ROJOSON’S REQUEST:
FEEDBACK TO THIS
PEP TALK!
Pls. type in your
feedback in the chat
box during the open
forum and before we
adjourn!
Thank you!
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD

47. Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
essential
understanding of
LEPTOSPIROSIS AND
FLOOD in their
health management.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
and FLOOD
LET’S NOW HAVE A
GROUP PICTURE
TAKING BEFORE WE
START Q&A AND
INTERACTIONS!
Pls. turn on your
video!
Show your face!