Tularemia: what is it and what is dangerous?

Tularemia is a rather dangerous infectious disease. Pathogenic microorganisms affect first of all the lymphatic system and skin, less often the lungs and mucous membranes of the eyes suffer. Since this is an extremely contagious disease, the questions about how tularemia is transmitted, what it is and how dangerous this condition is, are becoming more urgent. So what are the signs of the disease and what methods of treatment are used by modern medicine?

Tularemia: what is it and why does it occur?

As already mentioned, this is an infectious disease caused by a tularemia rod. It is worth noting that this bacterium is extremely tenacious and capable of maintaining activity even under relatively harsh environmental conditions.

Most susceptible to this infection are rodents, rabbits, sheep and some other animals. Pathogenic microorganisms enter the bloodstream of the animal during the bite of some species of ticks. A person becomes infected by contact with sick animals, for example, when carcasses are fresh, skin is removed, rodents are collected, etc. In addition, the source of infection can be water contaminated with bacteria. In the production environment, infection through the respiratory system is also possible. But to catch the disease from a person is less likely.

In any case, a person is extremely susceptible to this type of bacterial infection.

Tularemia - what is it and what are its main symptoms?

As already mentioned, pathogenic microorganisms affect first of all lymph nodes and skin. The disease has various forms and manifests itself in different intensity symptoms. Nevertheless, the beginning is always the same - a person raises the temperature to 38-40 degrees. A fever can be wavy (then disappear, then reappear) or be present permanently. Strong headaches, body aches, constant fatigue are also the first signs of tularemia.

If bacteria penetrate the body through the skin, then primarily affect the lymph nodes - this is the so-called bubonic form of the disease. It is accompanied by inflammation of the inguinal, axillary, or femoral lymphatic.

In some cases, the skin appears rash, and sometimes small sores. When lesions of the mucous membranes of the eye develop purulent conjunctivitis. If the infection has penetrated the body through the pharynx, there is swelling of the larynx and tonsils, a sore throat, difficulty swallowing.

Tularemia: what is it and what are the methods of treatment?

Of course, treatment is carried out exclusively in a hospital. Patients are prescribed antibacterial therapy, which includes taking antibiotics. Streptomycin, Doxitsklin, and also Levomycetin and some cephalosporins are considered very effective. In addition, symptomatic treatment is performed - patients are prescribed antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

As for prevention, people are advised to follow individual protective measures when hunting and processing carcasses of animals; It is necessary to avoid drinking water from contaminated sources, and not to ignore the rules for the heat treatment of meat products. In addition, in some regions, a vaccination against tularemia is mandatory, which gives very persistent immunity for five years.

It is worth noting that in such a case, one should not self-medicate in any case. Tularemia can lead to serious complications, in particular, arthritis, meningitis, encephalitis, pneumonia and infectious-toxic shock.