Tularemia
Alternate Names : Rabbit Fever
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Tularemia
can be prevented by wearing gloves and masks when handling potentially infected
animals, especially wild rabbits. Game meats should be thoroughly cooked prior
to eating. Long pants and socks can protect a person from tick bites. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a live vaccine that can be given
to decrease the frequency and severity of infection. Using insect repellants and removing ticks quickly may also
decrease the risk of tularemia.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
When treated
promptly, tularemia seldom has long-term effects. If it is untreated or if
treatment is delayed, the infection may affect any part of the body, causing:
lung problems, such as pneumonia
gastrointestinal problems, such as damage to the stomach
damage to the cornea of the eye
enlargement of the heart
liver problems, such as hepatitis
bone disease or infection producing
osteomyelitis
infection of the spinal fluid or fluid surrounding the brain, such as meningitis
If untreated, severe forms of tularemia can be fatal.
What are the risks to others?
There have been no documented cases of tularemia being spread from one person to another.
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