Acute leptospirosis
Most cases of acute leptospirosis can be successfully treated with a five-to-seven-day course of antibiotic tablets. A tetracycline antibiotic called doxycycline is the preferred choice.
Side effects of doxycycline include:
These side effects should pass once you complete the course of antibiotics. An alternative antibiotic, such as erythromycin, can be used instead of doxycycline.
Side effects of erythromycin include:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
It is very important that you finish the prescribed course of antibiotics, even if you are feeling better. This is because stopping treatment before all of the bacteria have been killed may trigger the return of a more serious infection.
Painkillers that are available over the counter, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can be used to help relieve symptoms, such as headache, high temperature and muscle pain.
Contact your GP for advice if, despite treatment, your symptoms fail to improve after seven days.
Severe leptospirosis
Almost all cases of severe leptospirosis will require admission to hospital. The underlying infection will be treated with intravenous antibiotics (antibiotics that are injected directly into the bloodstream).
If you have experienced organ damage, additional equipment may be required to support the functions of your body. For example:
- a ventilator to assist your breathing
- dialysis, which is where the functions of your kidneys are artificially replicated by removing waste materials from your blood
- intravenous fluids to restore the fluids and nutrients in your body
The amount of time that you will need to spend in hospital will depend on how well you respond to the antibiotics and the extent of any organ damage. Some people may be well enough to leave hospital within a few weeks, while others may require several months of hospital care.
