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Relapsing fever Causes and Risks:
Relapsing fever is a tick-born disease and is seen primarily in the western United States. The organisms which cause relapsing fever belong to the Borrelia family and are carried by the Ornithodorus tick . Epidemic relapsing fever is caused by the same organism, but carried by body lice .
Following infection by a tick bite , symptoms begin with a high fever (103 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit) of sudden onset, headache , vomiting , and muscle , joint aches and chest pain . Nosebleeds , blood in the urine , and blood in the vomit are not uncommon. The fever may also be accompanied by a rash .
The fever may last more than a week and its passing produces dramatic symptoms of sweating ( diaphoresis ), weakness , low blood pressure and low body temperature . Within a week, the cycle repeats itself. With each cycle, the fevers are generally lower and the symptoms less severe.
Some children after several cycles of fever may develop dramatic central nervous system signs such as seizures , stupor and neuritis. The Borrelia organism may also invade heart and liver tissues causing inflammation of the heart muscle ( myocarditis ) and inflammation of the liver ( hepatitis ). Myocarditis may be fatal.
Prevention:
Ticks from the genus "Ornithodorus" are found in the western U.S. Avoiding the tick 's habitat and wearing proper clothing and insect repellent will prevent infection with the organism that causes relapsing fever.
Symptoms:
Others:
Signs and Tests:
Physical exam may show Other findings that may be present include: Tests
Treatment:
The infection is treated with antibiotics, including tetracycline or erythromycin.
Note: oral tetracycline is usually not prescribed for children until after all the permanent teeth have erupted; it can permanently discolor teeth that are still forming.
Prognosis:
Without therapy, the death rate can be as high as 40%. With treatment, mortality is about 5%.
Complications:
Herxheimer's reaction during antibiotic therapy is a possible complication.
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if you have a fever or feel unwell and you suspect tick exposure.
The kissing bug can carry relapsing fever and Chagas' disease (American trypanosomiasis). (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Body lice often lay their eggs in the seams of clothing. These are magnified lice eggs deposited along a seam. This is a good reason for not sharing clothing. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
This is a photograph of Pediculus humanus var. capitis, a head louse, emerging from an egg. Head lice have become an increasing problem in schools and day care centers. Some grade schools have started programs to examine children for head lice.
This is a photograph of a male Pediculus humanus var. capitis, a head louse, as seen from the top. Head lice have become an increasing problem in schools and day care centers. Some grade schools have started programs to examine children for head lice.
This is a photograph of a female Pediculus humanus var. capitis, a head louse, as seen from the top. Head lice have become an increasing problem in schools and day care centers. Some grade schools have started programs to examine children for head lice.
This is a close-up picture of lice egg sacks (nits) in the hair. They cling to individual hair shafts. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
These lice are Pediculus humanus, or body lice. Other types of lice infest the scalp, head (Pediculus humanus capitis), and the pubic area (Rhthirus pubis). Some body lice may carry diseases such as epidemic typhus, relapsing fever, or trench fever. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
This is a magnified view of a female body louse with larvae. Lice cause itching and a characteristic excoriated skin rash (looks like a scrape). They may also transmit diseases, including relapsing fever, typhus, and trench fever. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
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