Relapsing fever is an infectious disease that can be passed to humans by ticks. Relapsing fever is most common in the western United States.
Symptoms usually start 3 to 11 days (average 6 days) after the tick bite. They may last for several days, go away, and then return (relapse) several days later. Symptoms of relapsing fever include:
- High fever that begins suddenly.
- Headache, often severe.
- Rapid heart rate.
- Muscle aches (myalgia).
- Abdominal pain.
- General feeling of illness (malaise).
- Rash (up to 50% of cases).
Prescription medicine is used to treat relapsing fever.
Current as of: September 10, 2024