Pulmonary hemorrhage, or bleeding in the airways and lungs, is among the major causes of death among severe leptospirosis patients, according to infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante.
Solante explained that bleeding in the lungs can severely affect the body’s ability to receive oxygen, increasing the risk of death. He also noted that severe leptospirosis may lead to multi-organ failure.
“Most of our mortality did not die because of a renal failure, because of pulmonary hemorrhage. So, natamaan yung baga. So, when you have that, mataas talaga ang risk of death pag ang baga naman,” Solante said.
At least 155 leptospirosis patients were reportedly admitted to San Lazaro Hospital in Manila as of Wednesday, with nine deaths recorded this month. The fatalities were between 22 and 59 years old.
Solante said many of the admitted patients were between 19 and 35 years old, emphasizing that leptospirosis can affect people across different age groups.
He explained that once the infection severely affects the lungs, the patient’s risk of dying significantly increases, particularly when accompanied by complications involving multiple organs.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection commonly associated with exposure to water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Severe cases may cause serious complications involving the kidneys, liver, lungs and other organs.
