Treatment for leptospirosis, in most cases, can be done at home with the use of antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin, Doxycycline or Ampicillin, for example, for 5 to 7 days, as should be guided by a general practitioner, in the case of the adult, or by a pediatrician, in the case of children.
In addition, it is also recommended to rest and hydrate throughout the day. The doctor may also prescribe other remedies to relieve symptoms, such as painkillers and antipyretics, as this disease can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, headache or body pain.
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by the Leptospira bacterium, which is transmitted through contact with urine and animal excrement, such as contaminated mice, cats and dogs, with people at risk of flooding, working in pits or entering contact with wet soil or garbage. Learn more about leptospirosis transmission and how to identify it.
Treatment with medicines
The main drugs used to treat leptospirosis include:
- Antibiotics, such as Doxycycline, Amoxicillin, Penicillin or Ampicillin, for example, for 5 to 7 days. The sooner the antibiotic is started, the more effective its action will be to cure the infection and prevent complications; Painkillers and antipyretics, such as Paracetamol or Dipyrone. Medications that contain ASA in their composition should be avoided, as they may increase the risk of bleeding, and anti-inflammatory drugs should also be avoided as they increase the chances of digestive bleeding; Antiemetics, to relieve nausea, such as Metoclopramide or Bromopride, for example.
In addition, it is very important to perform hydration with liquids, such as water, coconut water and teas throughout the day for all people with the disease. Oral rehydration serum can be useful in many cases, especially for people with signs of dehydration. Check out the following video on how to prepare homemade serum:
Vein hydration is only indicated in cases of people who are unable to hydrate orally, or in more severe cases, such as those with severe dehydration, bleeding or kidney complications, for example.
Signs of improvement
Signs of improvement in leptospirosis appear about 2 to 4 days after the start of treatment and include a decrease and disappearance of fever, a reduction in muscle pain and a decrease in nausea and vomiting.
Signs of worsening
Signs of worsening leptospirosis are related to impaired organ function, such as kidneys, lungs, liver or heart, and therefore may include changes in the amount of urine, difficulty breathing, bleeding, palpitations, severe chest pain, yellow skin and eyes, swelling in the body or seizures, for example.
When it is necessary to intern
The doctor will indicate the need to stay hospitalized whenever warning signs and symptoms appear, such as:
- Shortness of breath; Urinary changes, such as decreased amount of urine; Bleeding, such as from gums, nose, cough, feces or urine; Frequent vomiting; Drop in pressure or arrhythmias; Yellow skin and eyes; Drowsiness or fainting.
These signs and symptoms suggest the possibility of complications that compromise the affected person's life. Some of the main complications of leptospirosis include hemorrhage, meningitis and changes in the functioning of organs such as kidneys, liver, lungs and heart.
