What are the nursing intervention in treating leptospirosis?

Answer 1

Difficult question: To answer this I'll need to discuss the disease a little. Leptospirosis is a complex bacterial disease with strong zoonotic properties (i.e. it can cross species lines). While more prevalent in land mammals than in humans and sea mammals, it still can spread to any of these. Epidemiology requires a large mass of animals as the bacterium cannot survive long outside the host. Method of infection includes through urine, cuts (blood-to-blood) mucus membranes, via semen (animal-to-animal -- not observed in humans as an STD at this time), and there is concern that it may (predominantly in the urine state) absorb through intact skin. At risk are veternarians, sewer workers and slaughter house workers in particular. 50-60 human cases appear in the US per annum. The disease is biphasic. The course of the disease is a 4-14 day asymptomatic incubation period followed by roughly a 7-day period of flue-like symptoms where the patient is febrile and experiences chills and myalgia. There is a brief asymptomatic period as the firsrt phase resolves, and then the second, more dangerous pahse commences. During this phase, the disease mounts an attack on vascular linings, liver, generates a high fever, and can complicate into meningitis. This said, Nursing Intervention hinges on first identifying the disease, which can be easily misdiagnosed. For the first 7-10 days, you can find the organism in the bloodstream, or it can be cultured, where it can be observed microscopically. Juandice is an indicator, and ELISA and PCR testing are confirming. Once identified, the next steps are controlling symptoms in the patient and preventing the spread of the disease. Maintain the patient's vitals, control pain, and attack with big gun anti-biotics (Doxycycline is one -- 100mg bid x 1wk -- note that doxy can be used for prophylacsis as well as direct treatment). Control invovles isolating the infected animals (Canines and rodents are high on the list, but other mammals as well), curing them and preventing spread. As urine is a common vector, washdowns of the area with fresh water are helpfull. Note that this is considered a disease of world importance, due to its easy, zoonotic transference, lack of human vaccine, and potientally fatal outcome.

Answer 2

isolation of patient, managing patient's pain, administering prescribed medication eg. analgesics and antibiotics