Weil Syndrome
Medical Questions » Illnesses » Weil Syndrome
| Name: Weil Syndrome |
| Also known as: |
| A severe form of leptospirosis. |
Causes of Weil Syndrome
The spirochete bacteria Leptospira interrogans or Leptospira biflexa, which passes from rats and other rodents to man in conditions of poor hygiene. |
Symptoms of Weil Syndrome
Pharyngitis (inflamed throat), muscle pains, diarrhoea with blood in faeces, excessive bleeding internally and externally (eg. blood nose, unusual bruising), kidney and liver failure, a large spleen and severe jaundice (yellow skin). |
Tests for Weil Syndrome
Specific blood tests for Leptospira are positive. |
Treatment for Weil Syndrome
Antibiotics (eg. penicillin, tetracycline), kidney dialysis (artificial kidney machine).
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Complications of Weil Syndrome of its treatment
Lung involvement causes cough, blood stained sputum, shortness of breath and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Heart involvement (myocarditis) possible. |
Likely Outcome of Weil Syndrome
Significant morbidity (permanent organ damage), occasionally fatal. |
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