leptospirosis…

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antibodies, weil disease, icterohemorrhagic fever, swineherd's disease, rice-field fever, cane-cutter fever, swamp fever, mud fever, hemorrhagic jaundice, stuttgart disease, canicola fever, leptospirosis, rare, severe, contagious bacterial infection, several species, the genus leptospira, a spiral-shaped microorganism, spirochete, leptospirosis, exposure, bacteria, found in fresh water contaminated by animal urine, occurs in warmer climates, risk factors, occupational exposure, farmers, ranchers, abattoir workers, trappers, veterinarians, loggers, sewer workers, rice field workers, military personnel, recreational activities, fresh water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, trail biking in warm areas, household exposure, pet dogs, domesticated live stock, rainwater catchment systems, infestation by infected rodents, incidence of leptospirosis is low, in the continental, hawaii has the highest number of cases, incubation period of 2 to 26 days, average 10 days, abrupt onset of fever, rigors, myalgias, headache in 75 to 100% of patients, dry cough, 25-35% of cases, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, 50% of cases, less common symptoms include joint aches, bone pain, sore throat, abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, 7 to 40% of patients, have muscle tenderness, an enlarged spleen, liver, enlarged lymph glands, sore throat, muscle rigidity, abnormal lung sounds, skin rash, white blood cell, wbc, counts, generally less than 10,000, urinalysis frequently is abnormal, elevated creatine kinase is found in approximately 50% of patients, 40% of patients have minimal to moderate elevations of liver enzymes, diagnosis, frequently made by serologic, antibody, testing, bacteria is best visualized by dark field microscopy, silver stain, fluorescent microscopy, unlike treponema pallidum, leptospira, grown from blood, urine, csf, slow growing, laboratory needs to be notified, isolation, the organism, blood is successful in 50% of cases, urine cultures, become positive, second week, the illness, remain so, up to 30 days, penicillins, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, given to treat leptospirosis, supportive care needs to be given in complicated cases, generally good, deaths, occur in complicated cases, not treated promptly, jarisch-herxheimer reaction, penicillin is given, meningitis, severe bleeding, have any, the signs, risk factors, leptospirosis, contact health care provider, avoid areas of stagnant water, in tropical climates, exposed to a high risk area, taking doxycycline, decrease risk of developing disease.