What Is Hemorrhagic Jaundice?
Hemorrhagic jaundice, also known as leptospirosis, is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hemorrhagic jaundice can cause a wide range of symptoms, or no symptoms at all.
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Causes
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A person can develop hemorrhagic jaundice after being exposed to water, food, or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, according to the National Institutes of Health. The disease cannot be passed from person to person.
Symptoms
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Besides the typical symptoms associated with jaundice including yellowing of the skin and eyes, a person suffering from hemorrhagic jaundice may also have a high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash.
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Testing
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The symptoms associated with hemorrhagic jaundice are similar to those associated with other diseases. A blood or urine test is used to determine a positive case of hemorrhagic jaundice.
Treatment
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Once diagnosed by a health care professional, hemorrhagic jaundice is treated with antibiotics. A person with severe symptoms may need antibiotics administered intravenously, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Left Untreated
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If left untreated, hemorrhagic jaundice can turn into meningitis. According to the National Institutes of Health, the condition can also lead to kidney damage, liver failure, or even death.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Daniel Lobo
