Red flag symptoms of Weil’s disease after serious illness alert

A local authority has issued an alert after a child became seriously ill after swimming in a river. Dedham Parish Council in Essex said the student “suffered a serious infection after swimming in the River Stour at Dedham and was very unwell”.

The authority said it was a “confirmed case of Weil’s disease (leptospirosis) which can be very serious”. The disease is spread through the urine of infected animals, most commonly rats, mice, cows, pigs and dogs.

People can contract Weil’s disease if soil or fresh water, such as water from a river, that contains infected urine gets into their mouth, eye, or a cut. Most people with Weil’s disease have no or mild flu-like symptoms, but some people become seriously ill, according to the NHS.

Symptoms may include high temperature, headache, body aches and pains, stomach pain, feeling or being sick, diarrhea, redness in the whites of the eyes, and yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes. People who have been exposed to infected urine and are experiencing symptoms are advised to see a family doctor.

Early symptoms (first phase)

These symptoms usually appear within 2 to 30 days after exposure and can last from a few days to a week:

• High fever
• Headache
• Chills
• muscle pain (myalgia)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Red eyes (conjunctival suffusion)
• Skin rash

Later symptoms (second phase or immune phase)

After a brief improvement, some individuals experience more severe symptoms as the disease progresses:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Renal insufficiency
• Liver damage
• Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
• bleeding (bleeding, especially from the lungs)
• Severe muscle pain and tenderness
• Abdominal pain
• Chest pains

Severe complications

In its most severe form, Weil’s disease can lead to life-threatening complications, such as:

• septicemia (blood poisoning)
• Respiratory failure
• Severe liver and kidney dysfunction
• Cardiovascular problems (eg, myocarditis, pericarditis)
• Multi-organ failure

Easy shape

In mild cases, symptoms can be flu-like and resolve on their own, often without the person realizing they had leptospirosis.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis usually involves blood tests to detect antibodies against Leptospira bacteria or PCR tests to identify bacterial DNA. Treatment usually includes antibiotics such as doxycycline or penicillin, supportive care for symptoms, and hospitalization in severe cases.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent severe complications and improve prognosis. If you suspect you have been exposed to leptospirosis or have symptoms consistent with Weil’s disease, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.