What Is Walking Pneumonia?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
8. Tularemia
Tularemia, or rabbit fever, is a condition caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Patients experience enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and skin ulcers. In some cases, it can progress to pneumonia. This condition is spread by contact with infected animals, deer flies, ticks, consumption of contaminated water, and breathing in of contaminated dust.
The disease does not generally spread from person to person. Diagnosis can be achieved through blood cultures of the infected site. Prevention of tularemia includes wearing protective clothing (long pants and long sleeves), using insect repellant, and rapidly removing ticks. Treatment includes the use of antibiotics such as doxycycline, streptomycin, and ciprofloxacin.
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