ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
27.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Relapsing Fever – Information on Relapsing Fever

Author: peterhutch Author Ranking Gold Featured Author | Posted: 17-05-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 16 | Rating:  (204) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

Relapsing fever is an acute febrile illness caused by spirochetes of the genus Borrelia. The high fevers of presenting patients spontaneously abate and then recur. This characteristic pattern of remission and relapse not only gives relapsing fever its name but also allows it to be differentiated clinically from other febrile illnesses as it has since the 1840s. Large outbreaks of louse-borne relapsing fever have occurred throughout the past century. These outbreaks usually occur following man-made breakdowns in public health, as typified by the epidemic following World War II that involved about 10 million people.

Sudden fever occurs within 2 weeks of infection. In LBRF, the fever usually lasts 3-6 days and is usually followed by a single, milder episode. In TRBF, multiple episodes of fever occur and each may last up to 3 days. Individuals may be free of fever for up to 2 weeks prior to a relapse. In both forms, the fever episode may end in "crisis," which consists of shaking chills, followed by intense sweating, falling temperature, and low blood pressure. This stage may result in death in up to 10% of people.

Tick-borne relapsing fever, caused by Borrelia hermsii, is endemic in the higher elevations and coniferous forests of the western United States and southern British Columbia, Canada. Although many multicase outbreaks of relapsing fever associated with B. hermsii and its tick vector, Ornithodoros hermsi, have been reported, none has been documented in Montana. Patients usually become ill after they have slept in cabins infested with spirochete-infected ticks that feed quickly during the night. The illness has an incubation period of 4 to18 days and is characterized by recurring episodes of fever accompanied by a variety of other manifestations, including headache, myalgia, arthralgia, chills, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Relapsing fever is a zoonotic disease caused by several species of the spirochaete, Borrelia. It can be transmitted by lice or ticks depending on the species and part of the world in which it occurs.Borrelia recurrentis is confined to the Horn of Africa and causes louse-borne, epidemic relapsing fever. Other species of Borrelia causing the endemic tick-borne variety occur in pockets in Africa, South America, and Asia. Relapsing fever does not occur in the UK. The risk to travellers of acquiring this disease is low, but travellers to endemic areas should be aware of the risk and to try and avoid being bitten by lice or ticks.

Most people who are infected get sick around 5-15 days after they are bitten by the tick. The symptoms may include a sudden fever, chills, headaches, and muscle or joint aches, and nausea; a rash may also occur. These symptoms continue for 2-9 days, then disappear. This cycle may continue for several weeks if the person is not treated. Relapsing Fever is easily treated with 1-2 weeks of antibiotics. Most people improve within 24 hours of starting antibiotics. Complications and death due to relapsing fever are rare.

Relapsing fever is a disease that is spread by 2 distinct vector families, namely the human body louse (Pediculus humanus) and soft-bodied ticks (Ornithodoros), and is caused by various species of Borrelia. The human body louse spreads Borrelia recurrentis infection. Tick-borne relapsing fever can be caused by a least 15 different Borrelia species. Louse-borne relapsing fever is caused by Borrelia recurrentis. Borrelia turicatae, Borrelia hermsii, Borrelia parkeri, and Borrelia duttonii may cause the tick-borne relapsing fever.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/relapsing-fever-information-on-relapsing-fever-417316.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

Read about Diet and Nutrition . Also read about Weight lifting Exercises and Fitness Equipments

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Relapsing Fever – Symptoms and Causes of Relapsing Fever
By: Corwin Brown | 19/05/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Relapsing fever is an infection caused by bacteria called "Borrelia." In Washington and other areas in the western United States, people get relapsing fever through the bite of ticks that feed on rodents. About 2-8 cases of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) are reported each year in Washington State. Most people became infected while vacationing in rural, mountainous areas during the summer months, between May and September.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Bacterial pneumonia?
By: ashley | 05-06-2008
i have bacterial pneumonia in the hospital, i have a fever (103.7) and it hurts to move. what should i expect?  please let me know. im kinda scared.

When you're hot, you're not -
By: PureLee | 23-05-2008
Why do people with a fever get the "Chills"?

My husband has been sick with some sort of flu ...
By: Jessicashley2208 | 27-02-2008
My husband has been sick with some sort or flu/cold for over a week now. He all the sudden starts running a fever and then gets the cold sweats and then to the bathroom he goes to be sick. What is it and what can I do to help him. Non of the over the counter things are working. He hasnt been able to eat when he does its very little and it comes up shortly after.

I have a throat abscess. it wont go away, and i ...
By: alipie | 11-12-2007
i have a throat abscess. it wont go away, and i have taken a lot of antibiotics. is there any sort of detox or fasting that will help?

Whats the qickest way to bring down lead ...
By: jmandes | 26-08-2007
whats the qickest way to bring down lead counpounds in our blood?

Adminstrating syrup IV
By: boris | 14-12-2006
In case of severe fever, is it possible to administrate analgesics syrup IV?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Health Articles

Help Your Child To Avoid Adult Health Worries
By: Catherine Harvey | 26/07/2008
A look at the effects of childhood obesity on our health in later life.

Pesonal Training Tips That Will Allow You to Lose the Weight and Tone Up Quickly
By: Zach Hunt | 26/07/2008
There are many people in the Spokane area looking to get into better shape with FREE Spokane Personal Training Tips. If you are one of these individuals looking to shave those pounds off of your body, we have some interesting personal training Spokane tips that will help you to reach your individual fitness goals.

You Can Take Vitamins To Improve Your Cholesterol
By: Chris Jensen | 26/07/2008
If you desire to remain healthy in your lifetime, you should reduce your cholesterol levels as soon as possible to continue to have good health.

Over Weight Straight Shot To The Yoga Point
By: Chris Jensen | 26/07/2008
If you missed it while your body was happily gaining pounds and have become aware of the problem now, it is still not late.

Switch To HEPA Filters And Breathe Easier
By: Ray Toofan | 26/07/2008
Having a respiratory illness can, at times be debilitating and leave the sufferer feeling uncomfortable and unable to breath properly without difficultly. If you have breathing problems then you will understand just how problematic it can be to be in an environment that is stuffy and stale with dust particles and other debris floating around.

3 Fat Loss Diet Mistakes That Could be Keeping You From Losing Stomach Fat
By: Ed Scow | 26/07/2008
How do you eat if you want to lose fat? What's a good fat loss diet? Those are just a couple of the questions I receive from virtually everyone when they find out I'm a fat loss and fitness expert. After I dive in a little more and start asking questions, though I see that everyone who wants to lose stomach fat is making the same 3 mistakes with their diet. Are you?

The Number One Vital Secret About Facial Skin Care You Need! Part II
By: John Russell | 25/07/2008
Great facial skin care starts with your diet. Learn what to eat and what to avoid, essential oils that are great for you skin and how to avoid dry skin altogether.

Is Internet Porn Responsible for the Increase in Chlamydia?
By: Sarah Hyllok | 25/07/2008
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the UK. Chlamydia sometimes has no visible symptoms, so it can frequently go undiagnosed. However, the infection is treatable once diagnosed.

More from peterhutch

Treatment for Frostbite
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Frostbite occurs when skin and other tissues are exposed to very cold temperatures. It can occur within minutes following exposure to extreme temperatures, or even in above-freezing temperatures if there is a strong wind (wind chill)

Travel to Buckingham Palace
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Destinations
Popularly known as "Buck House", has served as the Monarch`s permanent London residence since the accession of Queen Victoria. It began its days in 1702 as the Duke of Buckingham`s city residence, built on the site of a notorious brothel

Travel to Bahamas
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Destinations
Newcomers to The Islands of The Bahamas quickly realize that they have stumbled upon not one, but many destinations. Between the "poles" of Grand Bahamas and Great Inagua are 23 inhabited islands and thousands of unpopulated islets and cays (pronounced "keys")

Sunburn – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Skin Care
Sunburn is the result of not using proper skin protection while sunbathing or even from routine sun exposure. The skin becomes red, tender and swollen. You may have a stinging sensation and blistering may occur. Some people even get a low grade fever

How to Get Rid of Panic Attacks
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Panic attack is perhaps one of the most frightening experiences a person can go through. During a panic attack, the body reacts in a way similar to a "fight or flight" response.

How to Get Rid of Anxiety Attacks
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, are episodes of intense panic or fear. Anxiety attacks usually occur suddenly and without warning. Sometimes there's an obvious trigger - getting stuck in an elevator

Home Remedies for Snoring
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Sleep
Snoring is noisy breathing during sleep that occurs when relaxed structures in the throat vibrate and make noise. Most snoring is harmless, though it can be a nuisance that interferes with the sleep of others

Irritable Bowl Syndrome
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, as cancer

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below