Relapsing fever history and symptoms

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

History and Symptoms

• Bleeding
• Coma
• Facial droop
• Headache
• Joint aches (arthralgia)
• Muscle aches (myalgia)
• Nausea
• Neck stiffness
• Rigors
• Seizures
• Sudden onset of high fever
• Unsteady gait
• Vomiting
• Weakness

Timing

Incubation period = time from tick bite to illness

• 7 days, range 2 to 18 days

Length of illness = time from symptom onset to resolution of symptoms

• 3 days, range 2 to 7 days

Length of time before reoccurrence = time from resolution of symptoms to reoccurence of symptoms

• 7 days, range 4 to 14 days

Number of relapses = number of episodes of reoccurring/relapsing symptoms

• 3 times, can occur up to 10 times in persons who are not treated.

Crisis

As fever is resolving, there is a classic series of stages that a person will go through, collectively known as a "crisis".

1. Phase one is the chill phase, with the person experiencing high fevers up to 41.5°C (106.7°F). With this high temperature, a person can develop delirium, agitation, and confusion. In addition, other signs of an increased metabolic rate are noted, such as a fast heart rate and breathing rate. This phase lasts between 10 and 30 minutes.

2. Phase two is the flush phase. This is where the body temperature decreases rapidly and the person has drenching sweats. During this phase, the person's blood pressure can drop dramatically.