Patient education: Leptospirosis (The Basics)

What is leptospirosis? — Leptospirosis is a disease that can cause fever, muscle aches, and headaches. It is caused by a germ that infects animals. The germ lives in the urine of animals that carry it.

The main way that humans get leptospirosis is from water or soil with animal urine in it. The germ gets into the body through cuts or scrapes. It can also get in through the pink, moist tissues called "mucous membranes" that line your mouth, nose, eyes, and other body parts.

Animals that can carry leptospirosis include:

●Rodents, such as rats and mice

●Farm animals, such as cows, pigs, horses, sheep, and goats

●Dogs

Leptospirosis is more common in certain parts of the US. These include Hawaii, the South, and the Pacific coast states. The disease is also common in South America, Central America, South Asia, and islands in the Pacific Ocean.

What are the symptoms of leptospirosis? — Leptospirosis can be mild or severe. Some people have no symptoms or very mild symptoms.

If symptoms do happen, they usually start suddenly. The main symptoms include:

●Fever

●Shaking chills

●Muscle aches

●Headaches

Other symptoms include:

●Whites of the eyes turning red

●Dry cough

●Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or belly pain

●Pain in joints or bones

●Sore throat

●Rash

Some people get very sick with leptospirosis. They can develop serious problems in the lungs, liver, muscles, and other body parts.

Will I need tests? — Yes. The doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. They can order tests to check for leptospirosis or a different condition that might be causing symptoms. Tests can include:

●Blood tests

●Urine tests

●Tests on samples of the fluid from your spinal cord (called "cerebrospinal fluid," or "CSF")

How is leptospirosis treated? — Most people who get leptospirosis get better on their own. But if you feel sick enough to see the doctor or nurse, they can prescribe an antibiotic medicine. You can take this medicine by mouth. This helps most people get better faster.

If you get very sick, you might need treatment in the hospital. Doctors can give antibiotics through an "IV." This is a thin tube that goes into a vein. Doctors can also give treatments for serious symptoms such as breathing problems, if you have them.

Can leptospirosis be prevented? — You can reduce your chances of getting leptospirosis if you:

●Stay away from water or soil that might be infected, such as:

•Puddles, ponds, or lakes where the water does not move much or has scum on it

•Water that could have animal waste in it (for example, water that drains from a farm or ranch)

•Soil on a farm or ranch

●Keep rats and mice out of your house or yard.

●Do not touch rats or mice.

●Keep food and drinks away from animals.

●Get your animals a vaccine (shot) against leptospirosis, if possible.

There is no leptospirosis vaccine for humans in the US.

More on this topic

Patient education: Staying healthy when you travel (The Basics)
Patient education: Avoiding infections in pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Rhabdomyolysis (The Basics)

Patient education: General travel advice (Beyond the Basics)