Types Of Tularemia And Their Symptoms

Also known as rabbit fever, tularemia is a rare type of infectious disease caused by the Francisella tularensisbacterium. The disease affects humans and other mammals, including rabbits, mice, and squirrels. Humans can become infected with tularemia after being bitten by a tick or deer fly that carries the bacteria. Drinking contaminated water, having skin contact with an infected animal, and laboratory exposure are other possible routes of transmission for this disease. After exposure, symptoms can begin in as little as three days to five days. For some types of tularemia, symptoms may not appear until two weeks after infection. In the United States, this condition is most prevalent in the western and southern parts of the country, and several hundred cases are diagnosed each year across the nation. Blood tests and sputum samples can be used to diagnose tularemia, and doctors may also perform a chest x-ray to check for complications such as pneumonia. If a diagnosis of tularemia is confirmed, clinicians will provide treatment with antibiotics. Streptomycin or gentamicin may be administered as injections, and doxycycline and other oral antibiotics might be needed as well.