Definition:
Deerfly fever is otherwise known as Tularemia which is characterized by a rare and infectious disease that primarily attacks the eyes, skin and lungs. There are less than 200 reported cases of this disease annually, and is known to affect mostly the south-central and western states. Deerfly fever spreads through humans though a number of routes, including direct exposure and insect bites from an infected animal.
Diagnosis:
Deerfly fever is diagnosed by blood test and sputum samples that are cultured to efficiently encourage the growth of bacteria.
Treatment:
Deerfly fever can be treated with antibiotics such as gentamicin or streptomycin, which are usually administered through injection directly on the vein or muscle. Patients are also advised to undergo therapy just in case of possible complications such as pneumonia and meningitis.
Symptoms and Signs:
Most individuals who are afflicted with deerfly fever often become sick after ten days of incubation period. Symptoms include fever, chills, skin ulcer formation at the site of the infection, headache, exhaustion and chills.
Causes:
Deerfly fever does not generally occur naturally among human, although it does with animals. Causes include insect bites of infected animal, exposure to sick and dead animals, airborne bacteria, and ingestion of water and food that are contaminated.
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