{"id":282234,"date":"2025-06-08T21:07:36","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T21:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/what-moms-need-to-know-about-leptospirosis-and-how-to-avoid-it\/"},"modified":"2025-06-08T21:07:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T21:07:36","slug":"what-moms-need-to-know-about-leptospirosis-and-how-to-avoid-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=282234","title":{"rendered":"What Moms Need to Know About Leptospirosis and How to Avoid It"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Know About Leptospirosis and How to Avoid It <\/h2>\n

When the rainy season hits, moms know the drill. Prepare for flooded streets, keep your laundry indoors, and plan for longer commute times. However, one thing we might overlook is a serious health risk associated with the floods: leptospirosis.<\/p>\n

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This disease is caused by a bacterium called Leptospira, often found in floodwater contaminated by the urine of rats, dogs, or other animals. It enters the body through cuts, wounds, the eyes, mouth, nose, or even private areas. While treatable with early medical attention, leptospirosis can cause serious complications if ignored, especially to the kidneys.<\/p>\n

Why Leptospirosis Is a Serious Concern<\/h2>\n

\u201cOnce it enters the bloodstream, Leptospira targets the kidneys, causing their inflammation and affecting their function,\u201d says Eladio Miguel M. Pe\u00f1aranda, Jr., MD, a nephrologist from the top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). \u201cDamaged kidneys cannot process and filter waste, leading to a buildup of toxic material in the blood. Dialysis helps remove the waste when the kidneys cannot function properly.\u201d<\/p>\n

From January to October 2024, the Department of Health recorded over 2,700 cases in the National Capital Region alone, surpassing epidemic levels. The rise in cases shows how common and dangerous the disease can be\u2014regardless of age or fitness level.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the great equalizer, as it exempts no one,\u201d Dr. Pe\u00f1aranda points out. \u201cEven the healthiest and fittest of us can get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Protecting Yourself and Your Family<\/h2>\n

It is best to avoid any contact with floodwater. But if it cannot be helped, there are ways to minimize your risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome commuters say they are forced to wade through floodwater to get to work or go home. If you must, wear protective gear like rubber boots,\u201d Dr. Pe\u00f1aranda advises. \u201cIf you don\u2019t have a choice, wash your feet, legs, hands, and face with soap and clean water. Apply an antiseptic on any cuts or wounds that you may have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clothes and shoes that come into contact with floodwater should be washed thoroughly with detergent and dried in the sun. These simple steps help reduce the chance of infection.<\/p>\n

Know the Symptoms<\/h2>\n

Leptospirosis symptoms usually appear between two to fourteen days after exposure. Be alert and seek medical help as soon as you notice any of the following:<\/p>\n