1)
The louse-borne variety is found in areas of poverty with
epidemic occurring after natural disasters. There live proliferate
in the clothing.
2) The tick-borne variety is found in Africa, Southern
Europe, Middle East, Asia, Western U.S.A. and Canada.
The risk for travelers is generally low.
Person
to person infections does not occur except by the method of
infected body lice infesting people. Symptoms occur after
an incubation period of 2-10 days with abruptly starting fevers
chills, aches, headaches and profound weakness, which last
for about a week.
A
remission period then takes place for the duration of one
week with no symptoms. Next a relapse period occurs with resumption
of symptoms for another week.
Without
treatment the cycle continues.
Additionally
lymph nodes, liver and spleen may swell and sometimes jaundice
and a purpuric rash develop. A cough is also noted.
Each
time the fever drops the blood pressure can drop very significantly.
With
long lasting disease inflammation of the heart and brain can
occur.
Untreated
relapsing fever can be very dangerous but it does respond
to treatment well. Diagnosis occurs with a blood test.
Treatment
with antibiotics must be maintained, as often there will be
complications during treatment (the bacteria while dying interact
with the medication causing more symptoms).
Relapsing Fever links:
CDC http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol9no9/03-0280.htm
Doc forgey.com the outdoors doctor http://docforgey.com/knowledge/3e.html
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