Hemorrhagic jaundice is a condition caused by the bacterium Leptospira found in tropical climates and stagnant water. The organism is not commonly found in the continental United States, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Hemorrhagic jaundice has several other names, including Weil disease, icterohemorrhagic fever, swamp fever, rice-field fever and Stuttgart disease. The bacterium infects both humans and animals. It can cause flu-like symptoms, as well as severe organ damage. Leptospira is spread through the urine of infected animals. Humans are exposed by consuming contaminated food or water. Contaminated water that comes into contact with broken skin, the eyes or the nose can also put someone at risk of developing the disease.
Time Frame
Symptoms begin to occur two days to four weeks after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The disease has two phases. The first--or acute--phase has symptoms such as headache, fever and chills and lasts approximately one week. This is followed by a period of one to three days when symptoms disappear. In the second--or immune--phase, the body begins to produce antibodies against the bacteria, but the condition worsens, because the infection has spread. Severe bleeding is a hallmark of this phase, as the bacteria destroy tissues and blood vessels. Liver damage leads to jaundice or the release of bile, which shows up as a yellow tinge in the eyes and skin. This phase may last 30 days or more.
Complications
Complications of hemorrhagic jaundice can involve several vital organs, according to the Center for Food Security and Public Health. Complications usually occur in the immune phase and can include jaundice, kidney failure, lung damage, meningitis, heart failure, hemorrhage or stroke. Most people recover. but fatality rates range from 1 to 5 five percent for those with severe organ damage.
Symptoms
Acute-phase symptoms include chills, fever, muscle pain, headache, dry cough, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Less common acute-phase symptoms include rash, joint aches, sore throat, joint pain, muscle rigidity, abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, muscle tenderness, abnormal lung sounds, enlarged liver or spleen, bone pain and enlarged lymph nodes, according to the National Institutes of Health. Immune-phase symptoms can include severe head and neck ache, encephalitis, confusion, bleeding or organ failure.
Treatment
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, treatment of hemorrhagic jaundice involves the use of antibiotics such as tetracycline, chloramphenicol, penicillin and erythromycin. Supportive care is also needed for those with very severe symptoms. This includes surgery for organ damage or intensive-care treatment monitoring for strokes, hemorrhaging and meningitis.
Prevention
Prevention begins by ensuring that infected urine does not come into contact with water and food sources. This can be done by keeping livestock away from bodies of water and eradicating rodents in the vicinity of water supplies. Those working with possibly contaminated animals should wear protective gear to minimize exposure. This includes gloves, rubber boots and face shields. Vaccinations are also available and should be obtained yearly. Doxycycline is sometimes used as a preventative treatment, according to the Center for Food Security and Public Health.
