TO THE MEMORY OF MY BELOVED HUSBAND, BOB

                  13TH SEPTEMBER 1943  - 22ND JANUARY 2008

Died of Leptospirosis, misdiagnosed by a doctor on the last day Bob could have survived if he had received antibiotics and treatment. He was diagnosed as having 'flu and angina. Bob had never been sick enough to visit a doctor or hospital in his life, yet after 4 days in bed, with headaches, muscle spasms causing difficulty in walking and severe pain, a heart of 179 beats per minute and now showing signs of jaundice, was told he had the 'real I am flu'. At this point, his liver and kidneys were affected, failing two days later with a 50% chance of survival. Because of the delay in getting treatment, his condition deteriorated and he lost the fight 10 days later.

I have included a reply from the Leptospirosis Society, which I think will shock quite a few by its' contents, please read it

Tribute to my Beloved Husband

Bob, there was so much joy in sharing your love

And I’d like to thank you for the way

 you had of bringing happiness to each and every day

To thank you for the loving ways that always meant so much

Your smile, your kiss, your warm and caring tender touch

Thank you for the quiet times when we were all alone

Magic times for sharing the dreams that were all our own

Thank you for the sweet yesterdays and the memories I have too

Thank you for the special joys I found in loving you

You were my strength and courage throughout our married life

For nearly 40 years, so proud to be your wife

Now I have to go on without you and face each lonely day

This pain of losing you will never go away

Until that day I find you when my life is finally through

When again I will be happy to spend eternity with you

We fell In love the day we met and that will never die

So it is with tears and sorrow Bob, I have to say goodbye

Forever your loving Wife

Caroline

http://www.leptospirosis.org/   Click here and read it, it could save lives knowing about this disease. This family wasn't aware of it, but it isn't as rare as being made out.

 Bob died of Weil's disease, the acute form of Leptospirosis, the source of which we have never found. This country is now at risk of having the same problem already being experienced throughout the world, yet we are in ignorance of the disease. Lately, many workers in our ports, water works, quarries or other areas where rats are in abundance, are being warned and given guidance as to the prevention of contacting the disease. Our doctors aren't recognising the symptoms quickly enough and if treatment is not given quick enough, the toxins invade so fast, your dying within a week. Bob had never been to a doctor in years, never been in hospital, but within a week of taking poorly, his liver and kidneys shut down, his heart and lungs becoming affected.

We have a major rat problem in this country and since last October, councils have been unable to cope with the complaints of rat populations, not only in rural areas, but housing estates and towns. Not a wonder, when we are providing them with generous amounts of food because of poor collections of waste. This Government has put us all at risk and this disease is horrible and painful.

Please click on the link I have provided and read it. If you suspect any of the symptoms, get help immediately and do not be fobbed off with flu. Early action saves your life.

In reply to your query:-

We are sorry for your loss, and fully understand your concerns over the lack of awareness in the general medical community. Leptospirosis is an infection which is 'officially' very rare in the UK, with only a few cases reported to the Health Protection Agency each year. Because of this, there is no general program of education beyond the diagnostic and specialist sectors, and medical students are unlikely to encounter the condition (or even be taught about it) unless they choose to specialise in infectious disease. One of the difficulties is that the infection presents a range of symptoms that mimic several far more common illnesses, and so a patient presenting to a GP will not stand out as anything unusual and so prompt them to seek a second opinion. Many times the diagnosis is only made when the condition worsens, as in your case, or when a patient specifically explains what they believe the cause to be (as is the case with infections from specialist occupations, where the patient has been told how to report it).
 

Despite the reported incidence being very low, the true figures are of course far larger - many patients with a mild form of the infection will self-recover and often won't even contact their GP, and even in severe and fatal cases it's common for the diagnosis to be missed, and the physical effects attributed to another (more common) illness.

Education is important, and in developing countries where the infection is more common, school and community education programmes are extensively used and very effective. However in the UK a balance must be drawn between educating and causing panic, as despite there being clear risks the statistical probability of "infection per person per year" is very small. Unfortunately this ratio drives government policy, and so there is no general education program in the UK. Workplace health protection is a different issue, and employees at elevated risk are provided with extensive information by the HSE and HPA - however there are no plans to provide specific information to general practitioners, many of whom instead use services such as ours for advice.
 

We hope this information is of assistance.

Regards