Author Topic: Leptospirosis  (Read 17026 times)

Offline kmck

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Leptospirosis
« on: October 02, 2011, 18:33:56 »
http://www.leptospirosis.org/

Basically this is a disease that can and does affect kayakers. At present we know that most cases reported among Kayakers in Ireland originate from the liffey particulary from the sluice. I'm part of a project which is testing water in the area. This is ongoing and we don't have results yet. It will also involve alot more work to get a clear pisture of the risk factors abiotic and biotic before we can make big difinative statements.

Here is what we can say
When it's dry it's dead. So dry your wet gear and boats after paddling in the liffey. Don't leave them to percolate for a few days in a dry bag.
If it's too cold the disease can't survive in water anything above 10c is a risk factor.
Cover cuts with water proof bandages. I've been thinking spray on bandages might be a better option for paddling. There are a number of liquid bandages on the market.
Shower after being in the liffey.
Use dry handwash before eating after the liffey.

Symptoms
Flu like symptoms developing within 10 to 14 days of exposure.
http://www.leptospirosis.org/topic.php?t=30

If you've questions you're lucky enough to have Jer to ask as he had it. It is rare but it does happen and forewarned is forearmed.

TL;DR
1. It's really really really rare.
2. If you've got a flu 1-2 weeks after a river trip tell your doctor.
3. It's really really really goddamn rare. There are significantly more lottery winners a year in Ireland than there are reported cases of leptospirosis.
« Last Edit: October 05, 2011, 12:11:03 by Jer »

Offline Eoghan

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2011, 09:20:25 »
But also to say to freshers - this is just to make you aware of it. Same as above - it is RARE! and any chance of catching it can be kept very low by washing your hands after the trip and before eating etc...
« Last Edit: October 03, 2011, 09:23:20 by Eoghan »

Jer

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2011, 12:22:32 »
Also, you won't get it from swallowing water, it can't cope in low* pH conditions.

Not that you should be drinking liffey water in the first place.

REALLY REALLY REALLY BLOODY RARE

*the leaving certs been a long time...
« Last Edit: October 04, 2011, 20:26:42 by Jer »

Offline Ley-Ley

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2011, 13:17:36 »
Don't fool around with Eoghan either, that's a sure way to get it, ask Jer.

Offline kmck

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2011, 14:14:50 »
Cough cough low pH your mouth is around 5 your stomach around 1-2. Even your mouth as you sleep drops to 4. Lepto like 6-9 range higher kills it lower kills it. Rare, very rare but good to be cautious.

Offline Eoghan

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2011, 14:52:04 »
Don't fool around with Eoghan either, that's a sure way to get it, ask Jer.

Jer had to learn that the hard way  8)


and in case anyone was unsure:

IT'S REALLY REALLY RARE!!!
« Last Edit: October 04, 2011, 15:03:24 by Eoghan »

Offline Matt

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2011, 16:54:37 »
how rare?

Offline kmck

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2011, 17:02:33 »
Just a little over pink! In the population at large or among Kayakers? Give us a couple of months and we'll have some answers.

Offline Eoghan

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2011, 17:26:22 »
I haven't heard of many lottery winners...  afro.gif

Offline Diarmaid

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2011, 18:57:02 »
Mmmm... I like my leptospirosis like I like my steak.

Offline kmck

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #10 on: October 04, 2011, 19:32:28 »
Since I joined the club we've had 7 from our club( those individuals would have spent a huge amount of time at the sluice). That's out of around 140 river trips with up to 50 people on them average of 24 so so it's a 1/480 chance kind of ish. Do I think it's likely, no. Do I follow the precautions anyway, yes. Same as looking both ways when crossing a road or washing your hands after going to the toilet.
To recap:
Cover cuts and grazes with either a waterproof bandage or spray on bandage.
Wash hands with hand wash before eating, though ingestion is very very very rare method of transmission
Shower after the river
Wash and dry out your paddling gear

If and it is a big if you come down with flu like symptoms within 21 days of paddling tell your doctor to suspect leptosporsis or weil's. They may do a blood test but due to the rarity they won't think to do it unless you tell them. This is a rare condition, so much so it was used on House MD.
« Last Edit: October 04, 2011, 19:39:33 by kmck »

Jer

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #11 on: October 04, 2011, 20:34:29 »
Anecdotal evidence aside, there's only a handful of reported cases in Ireland a year and that's out of a significantly larger pool of people than just kayakers.

how rare?

SUPER DUPER ULTRA RARE!
« Last Edit: October 04, 2011, 20:40:20 by Jer »

Offline Matt

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #12 on: October 04, 2011, 21:13:25 »
SUPER DUPER ULTRA RARE!

Sorry, I'm not following... so you say it's rare? Like it doesn't happen all that often? Is that what you're saying?

Seriously though, folks, if we all stop kissing rats (no matter how attractive they might be), we should all be fine. I think what I've gathered from reading this post is that's it's pretty rare. But like the man from the Durex ad says... it's better to be safe than sorry.

Offline Nuala

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #13 on: October 04, 2011, 21:36:33 »
I think it's one of those things that are literally one in a million. It's just that if it's caught earlier it's no worse than a flu, but if it's missed it can be nasty.

Offline Ley-Ley

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Re: Weils disease
« Reply #14 on: October 04, 2011, 22:15:50 »
It doesn't exist, there, now no one is gonna be worried.