Just once, he crossed the flood on the way to work. He had a small cut on his foot, but he did not think anything of it.
Almost a week later, he came down with a fever. His legs ached, the muscles felt gripped and sore. He thought it was trangkaso. It was not.
That is the trap with leptospirosis. It does not show up while you are in the flood. It shows up days later, which is why people often fail to connect it to the real cause.
How you get it, and why a wound is the danger
Leptospirosis spreads through water or mud contaminated with the urine of infected animals, often rats. It enters the body through a cut, a scrape, or even through the eyes and nose.
That is why someone with a wound on their foot who wades through floodwater is at higher risk. You do not need to swim in it. Sometimes one crossing is enough.
The signs, and when to get seen
Symptoms usually appear 2 days to a few weeks after exposure. Watch for:
- Sudden fever and chills
- Severe muscle pain, especially in the legs (binti) and lower back
- Sakit ng ulo
- Red eyes
- Nausea or vomiting
More severe signs, like yellowing of the eyes or skin, reduced urination, or difficulty breathing, mean the liver or kidneys may be affected. That is an emergency.
The part most people do not know
There is a preventive medicine you can take after floodwater exposure, especially if you have a wound. It is usually doxycycline, but a doctor has to decide if it is right for you. The point is you do not have to wait until you are sick to act. If you waded through a flood with an open wound, that alone is reason to get checked.
So if you notice a fever and aching legs a few days after a flood, tell the doctor this one detail: “I walked through floodwater.” That detail changes the whole diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to see a doctor even without symptoms, if I crossed a flood?
If you had a wound or were soaked for a while, yes, it is worth asking about preventive medicine. Do not take antibiotics on your own without a doctor.
Is it contagious between people?
Person-to-person spread is rare. The main source is contaminated water and mud.
How long before it shows up?
Usually 2 to 30 days, which is why it often is not connected back to the flood.
The one thing to remember
Leptospirosis is a late-arriving illness. So your strongest tool is one detail you give the doctor: I walked through floodwater. If that happened and you have a fever now, talk to a doctor on NowServing instead of waiting for it to get worse.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If symptoms are severe or getting worse, see a doctor or go to the nearest hospital.
