It is an acute, zoonotic infectious disease (animal disease transmitted to humans) caused by the bacterium Rickettsia conoriis.
The transmitting agent is a tick.
After an incubation period, it begins suddenly with chills, high fever, joint and muscle pain, headache and abnormal intolerance to light. After 3-5 days, there are skin lesions which may appear at the site of the tick bite or on other areas of the skin, typically on the trunk and limbs.
It is diagnosed by a detailed clinical history, where a possible contact with ticks approximately 12 days before and a complete physical examination should be investigated. The diagnostic suspicion is confirmed by isolating the bacteria in cultures and by blood serology.
Treatment is antibiotic with Doxycycline and treatment of symptoms with antipyretics and analgesics.
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