A27: Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira bacteria. It spreads usually through the urine of infected animals, often dogs, rodents, and livestock, contaminating water, soil or vegetation. People can then get infected when they come into contact with this contaminated environment, especially when their skin is damaged or through their mucous membranes (eyes, nose or mouth). Symptoms often occur about a week after exposure and can be mild, including fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rash. In severe cases, the bacteria can affect the kidneys or liver, causing significant organ damage that can be potentially life-threatening. However, many of those infected may have no symptoms at all or symptoms that are too mild to be recognized, making the disease difficult to diagnose. Leptospirosis is a dynamic disease and its progression varies depending on the host's immune response and the infecting strain.