infections
Relapsing Fever
Symptoms of Relapsing Fever
People with relapsing fever have sudden chills followed by a high fever, severe headache, vomiting, and muscle and joint pain. A thick, black, crusty scab (eschar) may form at the site of the tick bite. Some people have a reddish rash on the trunk and limbs and red eyes. Some people become delirious. After several days, fever stops suddenly, and people feel better. However, the fever and usually the other symptoms return and go away (relapse) at about 1-week intervals for up to 30 episodes. The episodes become progressively less severe, and people eventually recover as they develop immunity to the disease. Later in the illness, other symptoms may develop. They include Jaundice in Adults (a yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes), an enlarged liver and spleen, inflammation of heart tissue ( The eyes, brain, and spinal cord may be infected. For example, Acute Bacterial Meningitis may develop. These problems are more common among people with tick-borne relapsing fever. 