Kerala is in the grip of serious infectious diseases these days. Due to the ongoing rain and water logging for the last few days, life has been badly affected. India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a 'Yellow Alert' regarding rain in many districts of Kerala on Sunday-Monday. It is expected that the rain will continue till Wednesday.
Pre-monsoon rains and water logging have also created many health challenges for the local people. This is the reason why cases of infectious diseases called leptospirosis are being seen increasing in many districts of the state. So far, more than 41 deaths have occurred due to leptospirosis in the state.
According to local media reports, the risk of spreading this infectious disease is seen to be higher due to contact with contaminated water. The symptoms of this infection, which start with fever and headache, become severe with time, due to which there can be a risk of life-threatening problems. People have been advised to take special precautions in places where rain continues in Kerala.
Leptospirosis can be fatal
According to a report published in a newspaper, Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan of the Kerala unit of the Indian Medical Association says, 10 percent of people infected with leptospirosis die. Therefore, it is important for people who are showing symptoms of infection to consult a doctor on time and get treatment. Apart from this, one should avoid coming in contact with contaminated water. People who have weak immunity are advised to take special precautions.
Let us understand in further detail about Leptospirosis disease and its symptoms.
What is leptospirosis disease?
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by Leptospira bacteria. This disease can occur due to contaminated water getting into your nose, mouth, or eyes or due to its contact with any wound in the skin. It is considered a zoonotic disease, which means it is a disease spread between humans and animals.
If we look at the statistics, every year more than 10 lakh people across the world become victims of this infectious disease, out of which more than 60 thousand die. It is considered important to pay timely attention to its symptoms and get treatment.
Identify the symptoms of leptospirosis in time
The symptoms of leptospirosis are flu-like, although in severe cases it can also cause internal bleeding and organ damage. In the initial stages of infection, problems like high fever, eye infection-redness, headache, chills, muscle pain, diarrhea, and jaundice may occur.
If the infection is not treated timely, there is a risk of the symptoms taking a serious form which may include symptoms of internal bleeding like coughing up blood (hemoptysis), chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and blood in the urine.
Ways to treat and prevent infection
Depending on the symptoms, necessary treatment methods are used for leptospirosis. Depending on the condition of the infection, treatment is done with antibiotics.
To avoid the risks of infection, it is most important that you avoid coming in contact with contaminated water. Also maintain distance from contact with animals. Use clean water for drinking or boil water, cool it, and drink it. If you have a wound somewhere on your body, take proper care of it.
(PC: ISTOCK)
