DEER-FLY FEVER (TULAREMIA)

An infectious disease, tularemia also known as deer fly fever or rabbit fever is transmitted to humans by mammals while mode of transmission is often through insects. The disease is spreadable and can cause sudden death if not treated early.

Symptoms

Latent period of infection is 3 to 5 days but can be upto 14 days. The symptoms depend on the site of infection and organ involved.

Ulceroglandular tularemia

This occurs most commonly with the following symptoms:

Rigors / chills
Headache
Temperature
Fatigue
Ulcer at the site of entry
Lymphnodes have pain and swelling

Glandular tularemia

Except for the ulcer at the site of infection the rest of the symptoms are same as ulceroglandular tularemia.

Oculoglandular tularemia

Involves eyes with the symptoms as follows:

Edema and photophobia
Red eye
Discharge
Under surface of the eyelid having ulcers
Pain in the eyes

Oropharyngeal tularemia

Caused by uncooked meat.

Pain in the throat
Temperature
Diarrhea and vomiting
Enlarged tonsils
Sores in the mouth
Enlarged neck lymph nodes

Pneumonic tularemia

Its symptoms re more like of pneumonia:

Pain in the chest
Cough
Breathing problem

Typhoidal tularemia

This is more threatening than the other. Its symptoms include:

Hepatomegaly
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Fatigue
High temperature
Splenomegaly
Pneumonia

Causes

The disease is known to spread from animals who are infected with a bacteria F.tularensis. Its causes include:

Undercooked food and contaminated water
Being bitten by insects
Exposure of bacteria while gardening etc
Encountering with deceased or ill animals

Diagnosis

It requires tests to check for bacteria F.tularensis in the sputum or blood. Other investigations include antibody titers and X-ray chest for pneumonia

Treatment

Certain IV antibiotics are used such as:

Gentamycin or

Streptomycin

Oral antibiotics are also given

Doxycycline (vibramycin, oracea, etc)

Treatment of complications (pneumonia, meningitis) is also added.

DEER-FLY FEVER (TULAREMIA)