Relapsing fever

Relapsing fever is a bacterial infection transmitted by a louse or tick. It is characterized by repeated episodes of fever.

Causes

Relapsing fever is an infection caused by several species of bacteria in the Borrelia family.

There are two major forms of relapsing fever:

• Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is transmitted by the ornithodoros tick. It occurs in Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Asia, and certain areas in the western United States and Canada. The bacteria species associated with TBRF are Borrelia duttonii, Borrelia hermsii, and Borrelia parkeri.
• Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is transmitted by body lice. It is most common in Asia, Africa, Central and South America. The bacteria species associated with LBRF is Borrelia recurrentis.

  Body lice

  Body lice are tiny insects (scientific name is Pediculus humanus corporis) that are spread through close contact with other people. Two other types o...

  

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Sudden fever occurs within 2 weeks of infection.

• In TBRF, multiple episodes of fever occur, and each may last up to 3 days. People may not have a fever for up to 2 weeks, and then it returns.
• In LBRF, the fever commonly lasts 3 to 6 days. It is often followed by a single, milder episode of fever.

In both forms, the fever episode may end in crisis. This consists of shaking chills, followed by intense sweating, falling body temperature, and low blood pressure. This stage may result in death.

In the United States, TBRF often occurs west of the Mississippi River, particularly in the mountains of the West and the high deserts and plains of the Southwest. In the mountains of California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, infections are usually caused by Borrelia hermsii and are often picked up in cabins in forests. The risk may now extend into the southeastern United States.

LBRF is mainly a disease of the developing world. It is currently seen in Ethiopia and Sudan. Famine, war, and the movement of refugee groups can result in clusters of LBRF epidemics.

Symptoms

Symptoms of relapsing fever include:

• Bleeding
• Headache
• Joint aches, muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sagging on one side of the face (facial droop)
• Stiff neck
• Sudden high fever, shaking chills, seizure

  Seizure

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• Weakness, unsteadiness while walking
• Coma

  Coma

  Decreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...

   

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Exams and Tests

Relapsing fever should be suspected if someone coming from a high-risk area has repeated episodes of fever. This is largely true if the fever is followed by a crisis stage, and if the person may have been exposed to lice or soft-bodied ticks.

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood smear to determine the cause of the infection

  Blood smear

  A blood smear is a blood test that gives information about the number and shape of blood cells. It is often done as part of or along with a complete...

  

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• Blood antibody tests (sometimes used, but their usefulness is limited)

Treatment

Antibiotics, including penicillin and tetracycline, are used to treat this condition.

Outlook (Prognosis)

People with this condition who have developed a coma, heart inflammation, liver problems, or pneumonia are more likely to die. With early treatment, the death rate is reduced.

Possible Complications

These complications may occur:

• Drooping of the face
• Coma
• Liver problems
• Inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord
• Inflammation of the heart muscle, which may lead to irregular heart rate
• Pneumonia
• Seizures
• Stupor
• Shock related to taking antibiotics (Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, in which the rapid death of very large numbers of Borreliae bacteria causes shock)
• Weakness
• Widespread bleeding

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider right away if you develop a fever after returning from a trip. Possible infections need to be investigated in a timely manner.

Prevention

Wearing clothing that fully covers the arms and legs when you are outdoors can help prevent TBRF infection. Insect repellent such as DEET on the skin and clothing also work. Tick and lice control in high-risk areas is another important public health measure.

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