Leptospirosis (Wiel’s Disease)

Leptospirosis is an infectious condition which can be fatal. Fatalities usually occur in global regions with poor sanitation.

In this article:

What is leptospirosis?

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

How Chemist Online can help

Advice & Support

What is leptospirosis?
Like rabies, leptospirosis is a zoonotic condition. This means that it is an infectious disease which can be spread from animals (usually rats to humans, through their urine). It is a rare condition in the UK.

Symptoms
The symptoms of leptospirosis are similar to flu. Please see How Chemist Online can help section at the foot of this article for ‘over-the-counter’ flu remedies we have available to buy through this website.

Symptoms include:

Internal bleeding

Kidney failure

Fever

Headaches

Jaundice

Weight-loss

Nausea

Vomiting

Dry cough

Myalgia

Tiredness, ranging from general lethargy to overwhelming fatigue

Note: Some people with leptospirosis experience no symptoms at all.


Causes
The bacteria associated with leptospirosis are called leptospires. People become infected by coming into contact with contaminated water or soil, or the urine (or tissue) of infected animals (usually rats).

Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of leptospirosis are so similar to flu, this makes the condition difficult to spot. Many people simply dismiss their symptoms as being ones that will ‘pass in a few days’. Therefore they fail to seek the critical medical attention they may need
(should they actually be suffering from leptospirosis).

If you are suffering from the aforementioned symptoms, make an appointment to see your GP immediately. Your medical history will be taken, and you will be asked some questions about your symptoms. You will also be asked questions relating to recent life events, such as: have you recently returned from abroad where the disease is common? Could you possibly have been in close contact to infected animals or a contaminated water supply?

To make a confirmed diagnosis you will then be asked to take a blood test (and also to provide a urine sample) to check for the presence of the leptospirosis bacteria.

If a confirmed diagnosis is made, an appropriate treatment will be recommended to you.

Treatment
Leptospirosis is usually treated with a course of antibiotics. Where the disease has reached an advanced stage, the antibiotics will be administered intravenously in hospital.

How Chemist Online can help
Through this website we have a range of products available to buy which can help relieve flu-like symptoms.


www.chemistonline.co.uk


Advice & Support
Health Protection Agency
Website: www.hpa.org.uk


This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.


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