Tularemia is a rather dangerous infectious disease. Pathogenic microorganisms primarily affect the lymphatic system and skin, less often the lungs and mucous membranes of the eyes suffer. Since this highly contagious disease, questions about how tularemia is transmitted, what it is, and how dangerous such a condition is, are becoming increasingly relevant. So what are the signs of the disease and what treatments are used by modern medicine?
Tularemia: what is it and why does it occur?
As already mentioned, this is an infectious disease caused by the tularemia bacillus. It is worth noting that this bacterium is extremely tenacious and is able to remain active even in relatively harsh environmental conditions.
Rodents, hares, sheep and some other animals are most prone to this infection. Pathogenic microorganisms enter the bloodstream of an animal during the bite of certain types of ticks. A person becomes infected through contact with sick people.animals, such as dressing carcasses, skinning, collecting rodents, etc. In addition, water contaminated with bacteria can be a source of infection. In industrial conditions, infection is also possible through the respiratory system. But catching 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, pathogens primarily affect the lymph nodes and skin. The disease has various forms and is manifested by symptoms of different intensity. Nevertheless, the beginning is always the same - a person's temperature rises to 38-40 degrees. The fever can be undulating (it disappears, then reappears) or it can be present permanently. Severe headaches, body aches, constant fatigue are also the first signs of tularemia.
If bacteria enter the body through the skin, then the lymph nodes are the first to be affected - this is the so-called bubonic form of the disease. It is accompanied by inflammation of the inguinal, axillary or femoral lymph nodes.
In some cases, a rash appears on the skin, and sometimes small sores. With the defeat of the mucous membranes of the eye, purulent conjunctivitis develops. If the infection has entered the body through the pharynx, then there is swelling of the larynx and tonsils, sore throat, difficulty swallowing.
Tularemia: what is it and what are the treatments?
Of course, treatment is carried out exclusively in a hospital. Patients are prescribed antibiotic therapy, which includes taking antibiotics. Streptomycin, Doxycycline, as well as Levomycetin and some cephalosporins are considered very effective. In addition, symptomatic treatment is carried out - patients are prescribed antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs.
As for prevention, people are advised to follow individual protection measures when hunting and processing animal carcasses; it is necessary to avoid drinking water from contaminated sources, and also not to ignore the rules of heat treatment of meat products. In addition, in some regions, vaccination against tularemia is mandatory, which gives a very strong immunity for five years.
It is worth noting that with such a disease, in no case should you self-medicate. Tularemia can lead to serious complications such as arthritis, meningitis, encephalitis, pneumonia, and toxic shock.
