Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Rickettsial Diseases
Number of Conditions: 3
Rickettsialpox
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: Bacterial Infections
Sub-category: Rickettsial Diseases
Symptoms:
fever; rash; eschar at the bite site; chills; malaise; headache
Root Cause:
Caused by infection with Rickettsia akari, transmitted through bites of infected mites (rodent-associated).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical presentation, serologic tests, or PCR testing of eschar material.
Treatment:
Doxycycline is the drug of choice.
Medications:
Doxycycline (tetracycline antibiotic); chloramphenicol (alternative in cases of contraindications).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Sporadic outbreaks in urban environments with high rodent populations.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Contact with rodent-infested environments and mite bites.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with treatment; typically self-limiting without severe complications.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare; may include prolonged fever or secondary bacterial infections.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: Bacterial Infections
Sub-category: Rickettsial Diseases
Symptoms:
fever; headache; rash (starting on wrists and ankles); muscle aches; nausea; vomiting; confusion
Root Cause:
Caused by infection with Rickettsia rickettsii, transmitted by tick bites.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical presentation, serological testing, and PCR.
Treatment:
Immediate administration of doxycycline; treatment is started empirically based on suspicion.
Medications:
Doxycycline (tetracycline antibiotic); chloramphenicol (alternative for pregnant women in certain cases).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Endemic in the Americas, particularly in the southeastern United States.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to tick-infested areas, lack of protective clothing during outdoor activities.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early treatment; delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications or death.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Multi-organ failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), or long-term neurological deficits.
Typhus
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: Bacterial Infections
Sub-category: Rickettsial Diseases
Symptoms:
high fever; severe headache; rash; muscle aches; confusion or delirium in severe cases
Root Cause:
Caused by Rickettsia species (e.g., R. prowazekii); transmitted by lice, fleas, or mites.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Serologic tests, PCR, or biopsy of rash.
Treatment:
Antibiotics like doxycycline; supportive care for symptoms.
Medications:
Doxycycline (tetracycline class, broad-spectrum antibiotic); chloramphenicol (broad-spectrum antibiotic, alternative for severe cases).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare in developed countries; outbreaks occur in areas of war or poor sanitation.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to lice or fleas, overcrowding, unsanitary conditions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment; severe cases may lead to death without antibiotics.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Organ failure, severe dehydration, or neurological issues in untreated cases.