Leptospirosis: The Urban Flood Fever You Should Know About

Leptospirosis: The Urban Flood Fever can affect you and your children if your feet get wet in the rain.

What is Leptospirosis? The bacteria Leptospira, which comes from rat urine, survives in stagnant water. It enters the body through the skin, especially if the skin is cracked or broken, or through the toes.

Why is it more common in urban areas? - Poor drainage systems in cities - Water accumulates on roads - Slums, construction sites, and not wearing shoes or slippers - Higher rat population and human contact

In villages, water flows away, but in cities, it pools, allowing Leptospira to multiply.

Early symptoms: 1. Fever and fatigue 2. Headache and body aches 3. Red eyes (conjunctival suffusion) 4. Vomiting and stomach pain

Danger can develop within 3–5 days: 5. Yellowing of eyes (jaundice) 6. Reduced or stopped urination 7. Difficulty breathing 8. Confusion or bleeding

This severe condition is called Weil’s Disease and requires ICU admission.

Diagnosis and treatment: - Tests: PCR, IgM ELISA, MAT - Treatment: Doxycycline or Penicillin G - Early treatment leads to full recovery in 7–10 days.

When to get hospitalized? - No urination - Mental confusion - Low oxygen levels - Low platelets or bleeding

Prevention: Avoid infection through your feet, not water: - Wear gumboots or slippers - Change wet clothes immediately - If you have breathing problems, fever, or yellow eyes, see a doctor immediately!

"Stagnant rainwater is not just for getting wet—it can be deadly."

Reading this gives you a chance to be cautious in time.

Please share this on WhatsApp or community groups to help those unaware.

Dr Ravindra L. Kulkarni, MD, DNB, FSCAI (Cardiology) Just For Hearts