Leptospirosis is becoming one of the most common health hazards worldwide. It is one of the important diseases that spread from animal to human beings (zoonotic diseases). The tropical climate and flooding during monsoon seasons are the favourable causes.
These bacteria are common in wild animals and especially the common rat in our places. The bacteria lodge in the kidney of these animals without causing any symptoms, and they are shed through the urine in massive numbers.
The bacteria can enter the body of the human being even though the intact skin and mucous membrane and especially through the cuts and abrasion. When the bacteria enter the body, it spread throughout the body, and the liver, kidney and brain are especially affected.
After 1-2 weeks after the entry of the bacteria, the symptom begins to appear.
There are four main type of presentation.
Bacteraemic Leptospirois
In certain groups, the symptoms are non specific. There is fever, body pain, tenderness of calf muscles and back, severe head ache, photophobia, and sometimes diarrhoea and vomiting.
The most important physical sign is the redness of the eyes. By about a week, the disease may subside by itself or changes into another form.
Aseptic meningitis
Here the causative bacteria are L canicola, and in early stage, it is difficult to identify from viral meningitis.
The diagnosis is from lab examinations. There is abnormal liver function test, neutrophil count is increased, presence of albumin and casts in the urine.
Icteric leptospirosis-(Weil’s disease)
Weil’s disease is highly fatal and is characterized by fever, haemorrhages, jaundice and impaired renal functions. Redness of eyes is a frequent feature. There is bleeding under the skin and large areas of ‘red spots can be seen on the skin. In severe cases, bleeding occurs through the nose, and there is blood in urine, stool, and bleeding into lungs also. The liver is enlarged, and the renal failure is evidenced by the decreased or complete stoppage of urine. And there are albumin and blood in urine.
Pulmonary syndrome
It is characterized by spitting of blood (hemoptysis) and respiratory failure.
Diagnosis
Management
Avoid contacting with stagnated water, especially in monsoon seasons.
Homeopathic treatment is highly recommended for the Leptospirosis as well Weil’s disease. Since homeopathic treatment is based on symptom similarity, exact medicines can be prescribed if the disease is changed to various stages. Usually in the beginning homeopathic medicines such as Belladona, Rhus tox, Baptesia, etc. is prescribed because the symptoms exactly match with the symptoms of above medicines. And even if disease changes at different stages, depending on the symptoms, medicines changes to Phosphorus, Lachesis, etc. In short homeopathic medicines are highly effective in Leptospirosis
