Question

You are transporting a 42 year old male who suffered paraplegia in a motorcycle crash two years ago. He has a fever from an infection and you have to transport him to a specialty care facility that is two hours away. During transport you should

Answer 1

Tularemia, or rabbit fever, is a zoonotic infection caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. It can be transmitted to humans through handling infected animal tissues, ingesting contaminated meat, or bites from infected ticks and flies. Diagnosis is challenging, but it can be confirmed using various tests, and treatment involves antibiotics.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, is a zoonotic infection caused by the gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis. It primarily affects rabbits but can infect a wide range of domesticated animals. Humans can become infected through handling infected animal tissues or ingesting contaminated meat. Transmission can also occur through the bites of infected ticks and flies or exposure to aerosols of F. tularensis.

Diagnosis of tularemia can be challenging, but it can be confirmed through direct fluorescent-antibody microscopic examination, culturing, serological tests, or PCR-based tests. Treatment typically involves antibiotics such as streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, or ciprofloxacin.

Prevention of tularemia includes avoiding direct contact with infected animals or their tissues, practicing good hygiene, and using repellents to prevent tick and fly bites.