Smileband health topics

Relapsing fever is a systemic spirochetal disease in which periods of fever lasting 2–7 days alternate with afebrile periods of 4–14 days; the number of relapses varies from 1 to 10 without treatment. Febrile periods are often associated with shaking chills, sweats, headache, muscle and joint pain, and can be associated with a rash. Photophobia, eye pain, dizziness, dry cough, nausea, vomiting, or lack of appetite can also occur. Each febrile period terminates by a crisis (abrupt symptom change). Symptoms can be more severe without treatment.

 

TBRF occurs in the western U.S. and is usually linked to sleeping in rustic, rodent-infested cabins in mountainous areas and high elevations.

 

Arizona 5 year median: 1 cases

 

Transmission

Transmission occurs when an individual is bitten by an infected tick. Transmission can also occur mother to child in pregnant women.

Incubation period is 2 to 18 days.  Isolation Precautions

Tick-borne relapsing fever is not directly transmitted person-to-person. 

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Prevention for Patients

• Avoid sleeping in rodent infested buildings
• Inspect buildings on a regular basis for rodent activity
• Eliminate rodent nesting areas
• Use proper food and waste handling practices that eliminate food sources for rodents
• Rodent–proof cabin/buildings by sealing holes in foundation and walls and use screens to prevent rodent entry

Public Health Actions
Public health will conduct an epidemiological investigation on a case or suspect case.