Weil's disease

[Hani]

Weil's disease (leptospirosis) is caused by Leptospira. Patients are infected when there is direct contact with infection in soil, water or urine. Following an initial influenza-like illness patients develop fever, jaundice, hepatomegaly and renal failure. Patients may also have meningeal irritation, iritis and skin lesions. The mortality rate is 5-10%. Management includes supportive care; doxycycline is very effective if given in the early stages.