Tularemia

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Tularemia

Tularemia, also called deerfly fever or rabbit fever, is a disease that usually occurs in animals. However, the disease can be transmitted to people through infected insects or animals or by exposure to contaminated water or dust.

Humans are most commonly infected through:

Being bitten by a tick, deerfly, or mosquito.
Skinning, dressing, or handling diseased animals.
Drinking water that is contaminated with urine or feces.
Inhaling contaminated dust.

This disease is found throughout the United States, but most cases are reported in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Symptoms usually start within 21 days (but average 1 to 10 days) after the tick bite or other exposure. Symptoms of tularemia include:

Chills and high fever up to , often starting suddenly.
Headache that is often severe.
An open crater-like sore (ulcer) at the site of the bite.
Swollen glands near the site of the bite.
Nausea and vomiting.

Prescription medication is used to treat tularemia.

Credits

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

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Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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