Table of contents:
- What are the symptoms of leptospirosis?
- Drug options to relieve symptoms of leptospirosis
- Can the symptoms of leptospirosis be treated naturally?
- 1. Watch your drinking water
- 2. Wear footwear
- 3. Treat open wounds
Entering the rainy season, the body's immune system will decline and make you susceptible to various diseases. One thing to watch out for in the rainy season like this is leptospirosis.
You have to prepare a variety of ammunition so that your body condition remains fit and prime. However, what if the symptoms of leptospirosis already appear and interfere with activities? How to treat it? Come on, find out through the following reviews.
What are the symptoms of leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a disease that often appears during the rainy season. Leptospirosis is a disease caused by leptospira bacteria that attack animals and humans.
Leptospirosis is transmitted to humans through contact with water, soil, or sludge contaminated with the urine of rats infected with leptospira. However, this infection cannot be passed from one person to another, so it can only be transmitted by infected animals.
Symptoms of leptospirosis usually appear suddenly, about 5 to 14 days after the body is infected. When the leptospira bacteria enter the body, you will experience various symptoms of leptospirosis which include:
- Fever and chills
- Cough
- Diarrhea, vomiting, or both
- Headache
- Muscle pain, especially in the back and calves
- Rash on skin
- Red and irritated eyes
- Jaundice
Drug options to relieve symptoms of leptospirosis
Most cases of leptospirosis in Indonesia include mild leptospirosis. Symptoms of mild leptospirosis can usually be treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or penicillin, to relieve symptoms.
If you experience constant muscle pain and fever, your doctor may also give you ibuprofen, which should be taken regularly. With these drugs, the symptoms of leptospirosis will usually gradually disappear in about one week.
However, the symptoms of leptospirosis that are not treated immediately can also develop into severe ones, you know. Leptospira bacterial infection can spread to other parts of the body and lead to kidney failure, liver failure, respiratory problems, and meningitis.
All treatment given by the doctor depends on which organ is infected. If the leptospira bacteria have infected the respiratory system, the patient may be given a ventilator to help with breathing.
Meanwhile, if it affects the kidneys, the patient may need dialysis, aka dialysis so that kidney function remains normal. In general, patients with leptospirosis are recommended to be hospitalized for several weeks to months, depending on the severity of their symptoms.
Can the symptoms of leptospirosis be treated naturally?
Of course, there are several natural ways you can relieve the symptoms of leptospirosis. To prevent leptospirosis infection from getting worse, do the following ways:
1. Watch your drinking water
Make sure the drinking water in your house is really clean and not contaminated. Or, choose bottled water that is still properly sealed to ensure cleanliness.
It is not impossible if the water you drink will be contaminated with leptospira bacteria. It's good, boil the water first and put it in a teapot or other closed container before drinking.
2. Wear footwear
Always use clean footwear, whether it's sandals or shoes, when going outside. Especially during the rainy season, you will certainly find lots of puddles along the way.
Be careful, the stagnant water may have been mixed with the urine of rats or other animals infected with leptospira bacteria. After leaving the house, immediately wash your feet thoroughly to prevent leptospirosis infection.
3. Treat open wounds
Leptospira bacteria will very easily enter the body through open wounds. If you have an open wound on a certain body part, immediately cover it with a bandage or treat it until it is completely healed.
