It is an acute, zoonotic (animal disease transmitted to humans) infectious disease 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, skin lesions develop, which may appear at the site of the tick bite or on other areas of the skin, typically on the torso and limbs.
It is diagnosed by a detailed clinical history (a possible contact with ticks should be investigated approximately 12 days before), complete physical examination and can be confirmed by isolating the bacteria in cultures and by blood serology.
Treatment is antibiotic with doxycycline and treatment of symptoms.
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