Definition:
Relapsing fever is an infection transferred by a tick or a louse which is characterized by repeated episodes of fever. Other names for relapsing fever are tick-borne relapsing fever and louse-borne relapsing fever.
Diagnosis:
Lab studies: hematologic study, blood tests
Chest radiography and hepatobiliary ultrasonography for cases of pulmonary or hepatic manifestations dominate, ECG
Treatment:
Involves mostly antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline, or penicillin
Symptoms and Signs:
Sudden occurrence of fever
Rigors
Neck stiffness and headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Myalgia (muscle aches)
Arthralgia (joint aches)
Bleeding
Seizures/fits
Unsteady gait
Face is drooping
Coma
Weakness
Causes:
The two bacteria that cause the relapsing fever are Borrelia recurrentis and Borrelia duttoni that belongs to the Borrelia family.
