UNDERGROUND PRESENTS The hypochondriac's guide to WEIL'S DISEASE

Weil's disease is caught from a bacterium which is excreted in rat's urine and is therefore more likely to be caught when rowing (or swimming) in stagnant water - for example the lake at Peterborough. It can be caught from swallowing the water or by splashes into the eyes or mouth and by the organism getting in through cuts in the skin (like raw blisters on your hands). A few of us have probably had a subclinical infection, but for some people the disease will progress to full blown Weil's disease.

Brown Rat

Roland Rat

It starts 7 - 10 days following exposure and first symptoms are similar to a flu-like illness with muscle and joint pains, headache and loss of appetite. This is followed by a few days of relative well-being before severe illness starts. In those whom the disease progresses, severe internal organ damage can occur and the risk of death is up to 25%.

It is important that you tell your doctor that you have swallowed river or lake water if you show ANY of the above symptoms so they realise you are at riske from Weil's disease.

If it is a real possibility that you may have Weil's disease, inform your doctor as soon as possible. There are specific blood tests for the disease which take only two hours to perform and which become positive in the first week. For further advice, your GP can contact the Leptospirosis Reference Unit, Public Health Laboratory, County Hospital, Hereford, Tel: 01432 277707.