Leptospirosis symptoms may appear even after 3 weeks since exposure —expert

Symptoms of leptospirosis may appear even after three weeks since exposure, an infectious diseases expert warned on Sunday.

Dr. Rontgene Solante, chairman and head of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department of San Lazaro Hospital, said that most of the casualties recorded due to leptospirosis are those whose symptoms have already appeared.

"Ano ang common casualty? Number one, kapag pumasok sa ospital, severe na ang leptospirosis. Pangalawa, kapag severe na, may tama na 'yung bato, tama na 'yung baga. Medyo mahirap na i-reverse," he said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

(What is the common casualty? Number one, when they enter the hospital, the leptospirosis is already severe. Second, when it's already severe, the kidneys are affected, the lungs are affected, and it becomes quite difficult to reverse.)

"Kaya ang payo palagi natin, once you have that onset of fever at meron ka talagang history na lumusong sa baha, within the [past] seven days from the start of the symptom [seek medical attention]...Even after three weeks, puwede ka pa rin magka-sintomas," he added.

(That's why our constant advice is, once you have that onset of fever and you really have a history of wading in floodwaters, within the [past] seven days from the start of the symptom [seek medical attention]... Even after three weeks, you can still develop symptoms.)

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by animals such as rodents. Urine from infected rats could mix with floodwater during heavy rains, and could therefore enter the human body of people wading through floods.

Aside from open wounds, other entry points for the bacteria causing leptospirosis are the eyes and the mouth.

Symptoms for leptospirosis include fever, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain and headaches. But in severe cases, patients may experience yellowish body discoloration, dark-colored urine, light stools, and low urine output.

"Wag niyong patagalin. Even the first 24 or 48 hours, kapag mayroon ka ng sintomas (seek medical attention)," Solante further warned.

(Don't delay. Even in the first 24 or 48 hours, once you have symptoms [seek medical attention].)

At San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, three deaths due to leptospirosis have been logged since August 10. The hospital currently has 60 leptospirosis patients, 22 of whom are new admissions and 19 are in severe condition.

Most of the leptospirosis patients have waded through floodwaters.

Solante is expecting more cases of leptospirosis in the coming weeks after several days of flooding recently due to the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).

"Ini-expect natin this week na marami pa tayong makukuhang pasyente because of the incubation na it can be as high as two weeks from the exposure," he said.

(We are expecting this week that we will get more patients because of the incubation period, which can be as high as two weeks from exposure.)

Health authorities have emphasized the need to always wash the body with soap and water once exposed to floodwaters and immediately see a doctor for prescription of prophylaxis. —KG, GMA News