Red flag symptoms of Weil's Disease after serious illness alert

A local authority has issued an alert after a child fell seriously ill thanks to swimming in a river. Dedham Parish Council in Essex said the student “suffered a severe infection after swimming in the River Stour at Dedham, and has been very poorly”.

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

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

Symptoms may include high temperature, headache, body aches and pain, stomach ache, feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, redness in the white part of your eyes and yellowing of the skin or white part of the eyes. People who may have been exposed to infected urine and are displaying symptoms are advised to see a GP.

Early Symptoms (First Phase)

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

• High fever

• Headache

• Chills

• Muscle aches (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)

• Kidney failure

• Liver damage

• Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)

• Haemorrhages (bleeding, especially from the lungs)

• Severe muscle pain and tenderness

• Abdominal pain

• Chest pain

Severe Complications

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

• Septicemia (blood poisoning)

• Respiratory distress

• Severe liver and kidney dysfunction

• Cardiovascular problems (e.g., myocarditis, pericarditis)

• Multi-organ failure

Mild Form

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

Diagnosis and Treatment

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

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