Should people with pets, especially dogs, beware of being infected with leptospirosis? Doctors answer
Kairi brown
7 min read
Should people with pets, especially dogs, beware of being infected with leptospirosis? Doctors answer
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by leptospira bacteria and mainly spread through infected animal urine including cows, pigs, horses, rats and other animals. Bacteria can enter the body through the skin or mucous membranes, especially if the skin is broken due to scratches or cut.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Divya Gopal, internal medical consultant at SIR HN Reliance Foundation Mumbai Hospital, sharing, “The outbreak is common during the rainy season due to exposure to water contaminated during flooding. People who work in agriculture, mines, slaughterhouses and sewers are at higher risk. This is also a recreational danger for camping associated with swimming, Kayak, rafting in lakes and contaminated rivers. “
He added, “Patients who come with fever, myalgia, vomiting, abdominal pain, conjunctival suffusion, kidney failure, jaundice and hemoptysis. Severe leptospirosis can come with acute neurological disease and sensory changes, aseptic meningitis is the most common manifestation. Other neurological presentations are seizures, myeloradiculopathy, myelopathy, presentations such as guillain-barré syndrome, meningoencephalitis, intracerebral bleeding, cerebeller dysfunction, iridosiklitis and tremors/rigidity. “
Speaking of treatment, Dr. Divya Gopal revealed, “This consists of intravenous antibiotics, crystal penicillin becomes a choice of medicine, which reduces the course of the disease if given early. The main prevention measure for leptospirosis is to create awareness about disease and its prevention. Mouse control steps must be taken. Chemoprophylaxis can be given to risky workers. “
He suggested, “The risk of getting leptospirosis can be greatly reduced by not swimming or wading water that may be contaminated with animal urine and eliminate contact with potentially infected animals. Protective footwear or footwear must be worn by those who are exposed to water or soil contaminated because of their work or recreation activities. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are the most important. “
Distinguish between symptoms of leptospirosis, dengue fever and covid-19, Dr. Sulaiman Ladhani, consulting with a chest doctor, chest MD and tuberculosis at Masina Mumbai Hospital, explaining: Explaining: Explaining: Explaining:
Symptoms and Treatment of Dengue Fever – Dengue fever is a viral infection that is transmitted to humans through infected mosquito bites and viruses that are responsible for causing it to be known as a dengue virus. Signs and symptoms of dengue fever are high -level fever, headaches, pain in the joints and behind the eyes, muscles and bones, rashes in the body, severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort. If everything starts severe then you may experience a severe rash on the skin, bleeding from the nose and gums and bruises easily. So it is very important to remember that and if there are symptoms of these symptoms then you must immediately do a blood test that can show a decrease in platelet count and your doctor immediately must be consulted for the same thing.
Because this is a viral infection, there is no special drug for treating dengue fever but simple paracetamol can be used. Aspirin and other strong anti -inflammatory must be avoided because it can worsen bleeding. The best treatment if mild, is resting, drinking lots of fluids and hydration and looking for medical treatment. If it is not treated on time, this can be very critical, and the liver may be affected, there may be bleeding in the body, there may be difficulties in bleeding because the lungs are affected and can cause, where the terminology, both dengue fever or dengue shock syndrome. This is a critical condition where the patient enters this condition, treatment becomes difficult and the possibility of survival is less and the patient may have to be given ventilation support. There is no age discrimination but early detection, proper rest, hydration and early medical treatment are the best to take care of this disease
Symptoms of Covid-19-Gjala Covid-19 Basically as we know is a viral infection and the symptoms here are very different from leptospirosis and dengue fever. Here, more than a disease like a flu where you get a high level of high -level fever for several days with a nose running, headache, and if it gets worse then the oxygen level may begin to fall and you may face difficulty breathing and other symptoms will be there Like body pain, stomach discomfort. Other organs are rarely affected but especially symptoms such as flu such as severe body pain and fever and nose running and coughing – especially the upper respiratory tract. And if there are complications then you may experience pneumonia and difficulty breathing with reduced oxygenation in the blood. If not treated on time, it can cause severe complications, especially in vulnerable groups and can cause many morbidity and mortality.
Symptoms, complications and prevention of leptospirosis – leptospirosis is an infection caused by bacteria known as leptospira and can infect humans and animals such as dogs. This disease is mainly spread through the urine of infected animals and in humans can occur due to urine contact or contaminated soil or water infected by this bacterium. Mot of the Times leptospirosis causes symptoms such as mild flu or no symptoms but can also cause serious complications such as meningitis, kidney failure or respiratory problems. Basically, there are two phases of leptospirosis. The first phase such as diseases such as mild flu that contributes 90% of cases where a person may feel better and recover. In the second phase it is a form of jaundice and is also known as whale and is the most severe and can cause complications.
So, this type of leptospirosis can last for several weeks and less common. Common symptoms seen in leptospirosis fever, coughing, headaches, muscle aches – especially back and calves, rashes in the body, diarrhea, vomiting, discomfort of the stomach and red eyes. And if there are complications, we can also find jaundice, there may be kidney or liver failure, breathing difficulties and respiratory problems, myocarditis – affect the heart and meningitis, and are usually needed between 1-2 weeks before the patient starts to show symptoms but it can take time one month too. So, this mainly spreads through contact with infected animal urine, and if not treated on time, it can be fatal. For treatment, the best are simple medicine such as rest, hydration, simtomatic treatment and effective antibiotic strata such as penicillin and doxycycline are very helpful and must be taken under medical supervision. In cases of severe illness, being hospitalized may be needed and if there are complications, other critical treatments may be needed.
The diagnosis is based on a clinical history and with a blood test recommended by your doctor and liver and kidney tests to examine any complications. So, the best way to prevent leptospirosis is to try to avoid swimming in fresh waters such as rivers or rivers that may contain animal urine avoid touching or swimming in flood water or sails flood water. Drinking water must be boiled before consuming it. The situation of mice and mice must remain under control. Please where clothes or protective shoes when handling contaminated water and soil. And if someone works with animals, protective clothes and shoes must be worn. This disease can also affect animals such as dogs, thus ensuring that they have no symptoms. Avoid touching your pet urine. Try and keep the pet urine from a water body or a place where people can come into contact with it and wash your hands after touching your pet. So, this is a symptom, complications and prevention of leptospirosis.
For parents of pets
Dr. Sulaiman Ladani said, “As we know, Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, it can be transmitted to humans and also animals and like humans, animals are also at greater risk, especially our pets, especially dogs. So basically, they can be infected and have not shown symptoms or they may have complications and suffer from severe diseases. Dogs usually rent leptospirosis through direct contact with infected animal urine, and open wounds or wounds on the screen can increase chances when digging through the skin to affect the dog. After being infected they may have a mild or absent disease or if the disease is severe they may have a fever, the muscles of pain, the reluctance to move with stiffness in the muscles and legs and have a walking force, shivering and lack of appetite, increase thirst and urination and fast Dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea and they may have dark gums and yellow skin may be present with swelling of mucous membranes.
He warned, “If they are suspected they must be immediately taken to the veterinarian who can diagnose blood profiles with a diagnosis and direct treatment with fluids as needed for dehydration caused can be given under supervision. The right antibiotic will be prescribed by the veterinarian depending on the infection stage. So, home care is very important, taking precautions and someone must try and protect themselves and their families from contracting leptospirosis. “
He suggested, “Ideally when the dog is treated, they must be kept away from pets and other children and gloves must be used while dealing with the dog by continuing or handling the liquid and waste products from the dog. The area where the dog has urinated or vomiting must be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly and where the gloves and masks when handling it or during the process and ensure that it is discharged properly. Try talking to the vet and see whether leptospirosis has affected dogs and the recommended procedures must be followed for the same thing. “
