Rabbit Fever
Rabbit Fever Causes
The bacterium Francisella tularensis causes the disease. It spreads through insect bites and direct exposure to an infected animal, airborne bacteria, and consumption of contaminated food or water.
Rabbit Fever Definition
Rabbit fever is an infectious disease that attacks the skin, eyes, and lungs. It is also referred to as deerfly fever or tularemia.
Rabbit Fever Diagnosis
The doctor checks culture samples of the patients' blood or sputum for F. tularensis. However, diagnosis is preferably done through identification of antibodies to the bacteria in the patient's blood sample. Patients may also undergo a chest X-ray to check for signs of pneumonia.
Rabbit Fever Symptoms and Signs
Individuals exposed to the bacteria usually become sick within two to 10 days. Various types of the disease exist but affected individuals usually experience fever, chills, headache, and exhaustion. A certain type affects the eyes causing pain, redness, swelling and discharge, as well as ulcer inside of the eyelid. Another type causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Rabbit Fever Treatment
Patients are effectively treated through injection of antibiotics such as streptomycin or gentamicin into a muscle or vein. However, other patients may only be prescribed with oral antibiotics such as tetracycline and receive therapy for complications such as meningitis or pneumonia. Those who recovered from the disease usually become immune but others experience a recurrence or reinfection.