Acute and zoonotic (disease transmitted from animals to humans) infectious disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia conorii.
The transmitting agent is a tick.
After a period of incubation, it suddenly starts with shivering, high fever, joint and muscle pains, headache and abnormal sensitivity to light. After 3-5 days, it produces cutaneous lesions that can appear at the site of the tick bite or on other areas of the skin, typically on the torso and limbs.
It is diagnosed with a detailed medical history, in which a possible exposure to ticks approximately 12 days before must be investigated, and a full physical examination. The diagnosis is confirmed by isolating the bacteria in cultures and by performing serology blood tests.
The treatment approach is antibiotic with doxycycline and treatment of the symptoms with antipyretics and analgesics.
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