The D Spot

After super typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, those affected have been focused on picking up the pieces of their lives, with restoring order and peace in the country being the main priority of our authorities.

People who have been experiencing almost flu-like symptoms are ignoring their illness, treating it just like any other colds or flu, until it ís too late. Unknown to many, due to the recent floodings, a silent killer is now on the loose: LEPTOSPIROSIS.

Here in Metro Manila, hospitals have been receiving patients from Marikina, Taytay, Pasig and Cainta, the areas severely affected by the flooding. A large number of patients that consulted and continue to consult the hospitals’ emergency rooms have already developed grave complications—liver, kidney and lung failure. And what does this signify? The illness is already in its late stage. Cases of death that have been reported lately.

These complications of Leptospirosis are mostly preventable had these patients been advised properly to take prophylaxis or seek early consult. The sad part is that we have not seen any massive information from DOH or the local government when clearly, Leptospirosis is more deadly than AH1N1, not until lately when the newspapers and television have picked up the stories.

Unlike AH1N1 which made too much noise and controversy, Leptospirosis is an illness which nobody is treating seriously, especially here in the Philippines, probably because it is an old case.

People have suffered enough, losing kith and kin, damage to properties, leaving the scars of Ondoy and Pepeng for the rest of their lives. They should not lose their lives now and those of their remaining loved ones just because of poor information campaign.

Let us pass the word around—with the current state the country is in now, with so many typhoons battering our country all throughout the year, and with the rats and mice that haunt each nook and corner of many homes, Leptospirosis is here to stay.

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by ingesting or drinking water contaminated by rats’ or other animals’ urine. Another mode of entry is contact through the skin and mucous membranes.

It is caused by a bacterium called Leptospira interrogan which is common worldwide. It lives and spreads mostly in tropical countries that experience heavy rainfall. This bacterium thrives in damp soil, fresh water, vegetation, and mud for a long period of time.

The primary hosts of this bacterium are mice, rats and voles since they commonly live within the same area as the bacterium. Apart from these rodents, fresh water mammals, wild and farm animals like rabbits, sheep, hedgehogs, possums, deer, cows, raccoons and skunks are able to carry the bacterium around. This makes them the secondary hosts.

How is Leptospirosis transmitted?

In pets. House pets like dogs, cats and others can be easily infected by the bacterium. How? Bacterium can be transferred by the carrier through urine. As long as the urine is moist, it is contagious. So if an infected animal urinates in a puddle, and a dog or cat licks it, then the pet gets infected.

In humans. The same happens to a person who consumes contaminated food and drinks. Broken skin due to scratches or cuts, is also a gateway for the bacterium, as well as the eyes and nose. A person whose foot has an open wound and walks through the flood or wades through fresh water can easily get Leptospirosis.

This is why those farmers and workers in rice fields, sugar cane plantations, mines, slaughterhouses, sewer systems, and others occupations that involve water, mud and vegetation are top candidates for Leptospirosis. People who are into water sports like water rafting, kayaking and swimming which take place in contaminated lakes, streams and rivers are also at risk. Same goes to veterinarians who handle animals infected with leptospirosis.

Signs and symptoms of Leptospirosis

So how do you know if you or a person you know has Leptospirosis? The first few signs of this illness are muscle aches, headaches, pain in the eyes with bright lights, followed by chills and fever. Then the infected person suffers from watering and redness of the eyes. From the fifth day onwards, symptoms seem to disappear, until after a few days, the illness comes back starting with fever and neck stiffness. In some cases, serious swelling of the nerves, particularly in the eyes, brain and spinal column, happens. Pain in the upper part of the abdomen may also occur.

Act fast

Tell your family members that at all cost, avoid being exposed to floodwaters. Not every one will get sick but as soon as you or anyone in the family develops fever, chills, red eyes. loose stools, or any combination of these symptoms, consult your doctor right away.

Complications of Leptospirosis

If left untreated, leptospirosis can lead to kidney failure, liver damage, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, also known as jaundice, and internal bleeding.

Treatment of Leptospirosis

The earlier the illness is cured the better. Antibiotics like penicillin and doxycycline can cure leptospirosis in its early stage. Some, due to the severity of their cases, need to be hospitalized for IV fluid.

How to avoid contracting Leptospirosis

Like they say, prevention is better than cure. If possible, lessen your contact with mud, vegetation and fresh water. However, if your occupation involves such contact, then it is best to wear waterproof boots or waders. A wader is a one-piece waterproof clothing that consists of pants with boots attached.

If you plan to travel to tropical areas and get involved with activities that will expose you to the bacterium, make sure you take doxycyline (200mg) by mouth weekly prior to and within the time of possible exposure.

If there is obvious presence of mice and rats in your homes, wash your plates, glasses and cutlery that are left in the open properly before using them.

Since your pet may easily be infected, it is best to have it checked by the vet. To ensure your pet’s safety, antibiotic treatments must be scheduled regularly. It is recommended that you wear rubber or latex gloves in cleaning your pet’s wastes and don’t forget to wash your hands with soap and water after cleaning.

Keep the surroundings clean. In the homes, take care that your garbage is disposed of properly so that they do not attract rat and mice. On a larger scale—the government should improve its garbage management. Rats as large as cats abound in garbage everywhere.

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