Leptospirosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is often treated by an infectious disease doctor, a doctor who treats illnesses caused by germs. A primary care doctor can be the first to see you. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria, a type of germ. It affects people and animals. The germ is called Leptospira. It spreads in the urine of infected animals.
Without treatment, it can lead to kidney damage, liver failure, and even death. It can also cause meningitis, which is swelling of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord. The disease occurs most often in tropical and subtropical climates. It has been reported throughout the United States.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary a lot and can include:
- Fever, chills, and headache.
- Body or muscle aches.
- Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
- Yellowed skin and eyes, called jaundice.
- Tiredness, red eyes, and a rash.
Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. Some people have no symptoms.
It generally takes 2 to 30 days to get sick after contact with the bacteria. The illness may come in two phases. In the first phase, people may have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea. The person may feel better for a while but become ill again. Some people have a more severe second phase, with kidney or liver failure or meningitis. The illness can last from a few days to several weeks. Without treatment, getting better may take several months.
Causes and who gets it
The bacteria can survive in contaminated water or soil for weeks to months. Many animals carry the bacteria, including livestock, dogs, cats, rodents, and wild animals. Some animals show no symptoms. People can become infected in these ways:
- Touching water or soil that has animal urine in it, especially after hurricanes, floods, or heavy rain.
- Directly touching body fluids from an infected animal.
- Eating food or drinking water contaminated by the urine of an infected animal.
Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or rafting in rivers, swamps, or creeks raises the risk. Hiking, hunting, gardening, and yardwork can also put you in contact with water, soil, or animals. Some jobs raise the risk, such as veterinary clinic work, dairy farming, butchering, or sanitation. It is rare for people to spread leptospirosis to other people.
How doctors diagnose it
It can look like many other illnesses. Doctors find it by looking for the bacteria's DNA, its genetic material, in blood, urine, or spinal fluid. They can also look for an antibody response, which means proteins the body makes to fight the germ. The best test depends on how long a person has been sick. CDC does not recommend testing people who have no symptoms.
Treatment
Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics, medicines that kill bacteria, such as doxycycline or penicillin. Antibiotics should be given as early as possible if a health care professional thinks you may have it. Doctors may start treatment without waiting for lab results. People with more severe symptoms may need antibiotics through a vein, called IV antibiotics. Early treatment may help prevent severe illness and shorten the illness.
When to see a doctor
See a health care provider if you or your animals may have leptospirosis. The risk often rises after a hurricane or flood, when people have contact with contaminated water or soil. Without treatment, people can develop kidney failure, jaundice, liver failure, and meningitis.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, confusion, fainting, bleeding that will not stop, coughing up or vomiting blood, or severe belly pain.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can look at your symptoms and recent exposure to water, soil, or animals, and send you to a specialist or hospital if the illness is severe.
Common questions
Can leptospirosis spread from person to person?
It is rare. Most people get it from water, soil, or animals that have been in contact with infected animal urine.
How long after contact do symptoms start?
Symptoms start 2 to 30 days after contact. Many people get sick 5 to 14 days after contact.
Can antibiotics treat leptospirosis?
Yes, antibiotics are the treatment. They work best when given early.
How can I lower my risk of leptospirosis?
You can lower your risk with a few steps. Do not swim or wade in water that might hold animal urine, especially after hurricanes, floods, or heavy rainfall. Avoid contact with animals that may be infected. Cover cuts or scratches with waterproof bandages. Wear waterproof clothing, shoes, or boots near floodwater or other water or soil that may hold animal urine.
Can pets and farm animals carry leptospirosis?
Yes. Dogs, cats, cows, pigs, horses, sheep, goats, and rodents can carry the bacteria. Infected animals may keep passing the bacteria in their urine for months or years.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
