Every monsoon season, hospitals across India treat thousands of patients who arrive with high fever, body ache, headache, and low energy. Most believe they are dealing with a common viral fever. However, doctors now warn that many of these cases may actually be leptospirosis, a serious bacterial infection that often goes undetected in the early stage.
Leptospirosis spreads from infected animals — especially rats — to humans. The disease is caused by the spiral-shaped bacterium Leptospira, and it travels through stagnant water, wet soil, and mud contaminated with infected rat urine. Because early symptoms mimic viral illness, people often delay medical care, and this increases the risk of organ damage and severe complications.
How Leptospirosis Spreads in India
Leptospirosis commonly infects individuals when contaminated water or soil touches cuts, bruises, or soft tissues such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. So, infection risk rises sharply during and after heavy rains, floods, and waterlogging conditions.
Common exposure situations across India include:
- Walking barefoot in stagnant rainwater
- Wading through floodwater or sewage-contaminated streets
- Working in paddy fields or farming soil
- Cleaning drains, gutters, or sewage areas
- Rodent exposure in basements, garages, or poorly drained localities
Importantly, urban residents are equally vulnerable due to leaking sewage lines, rodent-infested buildings, and post-rain street flooding.
Early Signs Doctors Don’t Want You to Miss
Doctors emphasize the importance of recognizing the pattern of symptoms, especially when fever occurs after recent exposure to dirty water or mud.
1. Sudden High Fever with Severe Body Pain
Leptospirosis typically begins abruptly, with fever, chills, and intense muscle pain. A strong clinical clue is pain in the calves and lower back, particularly after water exposure. Many patients mistake this for viral flu-related pain.
Leptospira bacteria
2. Severe Headache & Extreme Fatigue
Patients commonly experience a pounding headache and overwhelming tiredness that seems extreme compared to the fever. This symptom is often ignored or self-diagnosed as a viral infection.
monsoon infection surge
3. Red Eyes Without Sticky Discharge
A key early symptom is conjunctival suffusion, where both eyes look red and watery but show no sticky discharge, unlike usual conjunctivitis. This subtle but important sign is frequently overlooked.
conjunctival suffusion
4. Stomach or Chest Discomfort
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loose stools, dry cough, and mild breathlessness can appear early. These symptoms can feel like flu, so patients often treat themselves with pain relief and fever medicine instead of seeking diagnosis.
early antibiotics
When Leptospirosis Becomes Dangerous
If you delay treatment, the infection can worsen quickly. In a few days, some patients may develop serious conditions like:
- Jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin)
- Reduced urination or kidney issues
- Confusion or altered mental activity
- Breathlessness or coughing blood
Doctors strongly stress: “These are late-stage emergency signs. We must catch leptospirosis much earlier.”
jaundice
When to See a Doctor Immediately
Seek medical help urgently if you have this symptom combination:
- High fever
- Severe calf or lower back pain
- Red eyes without discharge
- Recent exposure to stagnant rainwater, floods, sewage, mud, drains, paddy fields, or rodents
Tell your doctor about your exposure history clearly — it speeds diagnosis and care.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Doctors use basic blood tests to support the diagnosis. When detected early, leptospirosis responds well to antibiotics. With timely medical care, patients can avoid hospitalization and life-threatening complications.
blood tests
Monsoon Takeaway for 2025
So, remember: during the Indian monsoon and post-flood months, not every fever is viral. Recognizing early signs — fever + calf pain + red eyes + dirty water exposure — can protect your health and even save your life.