What is the island fever?

Island fever, medically known as Scrub Typehus, is a serious illness transmitted by people through the bite of ticks, mites or chigger. The name "island fever" most likely came from the fact that most infected insects tend to live in sandy areas. Without treatment, which is the course of antibiotics, mortality from island fever can reach 30%.

Island fever is a somewhat incorrect name. While people on the Pacific Ocean are vulnerable, it is also possible to conclude a typhus contract on the mainland of many Southeast Asian countries. It can also be closed in the countries of the Northwest Pacific, such as Pakistan, Australia or Korea. Symptoms include extremely high fever, often among 104-105 ° F (40-40.55 ° C.). Fever tends to be accompanied by severe headaches. Swelling in lymphnods is often present for about a week in illness. Also, the hazard can develop on the trunk of the body by the end of the first week of the disease. In rare cases, it can be sepulkedFever also affects the central nervous system and cause confusion, speech problems or hearing problems.

The diagnosis of island fever tends to be performed by observing symptoms and also by the blood test, which is confirmed by pathogens causing the disease. Because there are several diseases called flavoviruses that are similar to island fever, they will be eliminated by a diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, the treatment is relatively simple.

In most cases, the island fever is treated with antibiotics with tetracycline or chloramphenicol. In children, however, the use of tetracycline is contraindicated because it causes permanent coloring of the teeth. Suitable treatment for children with island fever tends to be doxycycline. Ciproflaxacin can be considered an adult or children, but this antibiotic has a high level of side effects and tends to be used as an antibiotic of the latest options.

island fever has a tendencyEven to the end of antibiotic treatment, which usually lasts two weeks. But feeling better does not mean that one should stop taking antibiotics. Not to end the course of antibiotics can cause the tension of island fever resistant to antibiotics.

In rare cases, patients may need intravenous antibiotics and fluids if the disease is not treated. Because the fever is so high and often occurs in a very warm climate, dehydration is a special problem and can complicate the course of island fever. Relaxing and drinking lots of fluids can prevent complications.

There is no vaccine for island fever, but one can reduce the risk of infecting it in areas of risk by wearing long -sleeved shirts and long pants. The use of insect repellents that contain deet can also reduce the risk of bite. I can get an island fever with these interventions, so there is no way to completely prevent illness. So far is focused on the medicine rather than on the prevence.