Weil's disease

Also from Answers.com... Cancer Treatments Learn about current and promising cancer treatments.

A severe form of leptospirosis in humans that is characterized by jaundice, fever, muscle pain, and a tendency to hemorrhage.

[After Adolf Weil (1848–1916), German physician.]

An acute febrile disease caused by Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae or L. canicola. Manifestations include fever, petechial hemorrhage, myalgia, renal insufficiency, hepatic failure, and jaundice.

An infectious disease caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Leptespiro. Stagnant water may be contaminated with this bacterium from rat or cattle urine. The disease begins with influenza-like symptoms 7-12 days after exposure. Complications, such as internal haemorrhaging, and inflammation of the liver and meninges, can be prevented by early diagnosis and treatment with penicillin, erythromycin, or tetracycline. Participants of inland water sports (e.g. canoeists) should minimize the risk of catching the disease by covering cuts before immersion and taking showers afterwards. They should also inform their doctors of the risk.

Human leptospirosis caused by Leptospira icterohaemorragiae and transmissible from rats to humans.