Leptospirosis (Weil's disease)
Overview
Leptospirosis, also called Weil's disease, is an infection you can get from animals, soil or water. It's rare in the UK.
Symptoms
Most people who get leptospirosis have no symptoms, or mild flu-like symptoms. But some people get seriously ill. Symptoms of leptospirosis may include: high temperatureheadachebody aches and paintummy achefeeling sick or being sickdiarrhoearedness in the white part of your eyesyellowing of the skin (which may be harder to see on black or brown skin) or white part of the eyes (jaundice)
Treatment
Leptospirosis can often be treated by your GP. You'll usually be given antibiotic tablets to treat the infection. Most people recover in a few days or weeks. It's important to finish the course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better. Takeparacetamoloribuprofento relieve any aches, pains or a high temperature. If you have severe symptoms, you may need to be treated in hospital.
Prevention
Leptospirosis is rare in the UK. You have a higher chance of getting it if you do outdoor activities like water sports (especially while abroad in tropical areas), or you work with animals or animal parts. There are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting leptospirosis. wash your hands with soap and water after handling animals or animal products wash your hands with soap and water after handling animals or animal products clean any wounds as soon as possible clean any wounds as soon as possible cover any cuts and grazes with waterproof plasters cover any cuts and grazes with waterproof plasters wear protective clothing if you're at risk through your job wear protective clothing if you're at risk through your job shower as soon as possible if you've been in potentially infected water shower as soon as possible if you've been in potentially infected water check your dog is vaccinated against leptospirosis (there is no vaccine for people) check your dog is vaccinated against leptospirosis (there is no vaccine for people) do not touch water or soil that may contain animal pee do not touch water or soil that may contain animal pee do not touch dead animals with your bare hands do not touch dead animals with your bare hands do not drink water from places like rivers, canals or lakes – always boil or treat it first do not drink water from places like rivers, canals or lakes – always boil or treat it first