Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was diagnosed with leptospirosis infection on Saturday. According to the health bulletin issued by the hospital, the 50-year-old AAP leader was given antibiotics, and his condition is “completely stable”. But what is this bacterial disease that is often seen during monsoon and affects humans and animals? Read on for more details.
What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis, one of the most common zoonotic diseases, occurs through contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with animal feces. The bacteria enter the body through the skin and mucous membranes, reach the intestine, and spread into the bloodstream, causing infection. It is also known as Weil’s disease, which is a complicated form of leptospirosis. There are two types of leptospirosis – icteric leptospira (the patient develops jaundice) and anicteric leptospira (a mild form of the disease where the patient does not develop jaundice).
According to Dr Vikrant Shah, consultant physician, intensivist and infectious disease specialist at Zen Multispeciality Hospital, one can get leptospirosis “when contaminated urine from an infected rat gets mixed with rain water and spreads through skin injuries, scratches or wounds.” Enters the body from.” Making you sick.”
What are the symptoms of leptospirosis?
Symptoms of leptospirosis are high-grade fever, conjunctivitis (red eyes), and calf tenderness. While in anicteric leptospira, patients have myalgia (muscle aches and pains) and fever, in the severe form of leptospirosis, someone will have jaundice, kidney problems (kidney failure), or hemorrhagic diathesis (bleeding).
Dr Shah said, “Occasionally, pulmonary haemorrhage is also seen, which is acute bleeding from the lungs and respiratory tract, where the patient may cough up blood. The person may also go into respiratory and kidney failure, which can also be life-threatening.
preventative measures:
Some things should be kept in mind to avoid getting infected with leptospirosis. People should avoid wading through dirty rain water, wear gumboots during the rainy season, take proper care of any injuries or cuts, and consume fruits and vegetables after washing. Stay hydrated by drinking enough water and avoid water logging near your home. Early diagnosis can aid in prompt treatment and recovery.
