Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is caused by Borrelia species that are transmitted by ticks. The disease often presents with recurring fevers and flu-like symptoms. When infected, bacteria such as Borrelia hermsii, Borrelia parkeri, and Borrelia turicatae invade the immune system and cause repeated cycles of illness. While it can often be treated with antibiotics, this condition needs to be caught and addressed right away.
Tick-borne relapsing fever is caused by various Borrelia species. Each can impact the severity of the condition and should be treated immediately for the most successful results.
So, what are the Borrelia species, and how are they linked to tick-borne relapsing fever? Let’s explore.
What is Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever?
Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks worldwide. Its signature trait is recurrent fevers and other symptoms that can be debilitating and significantly decrease one’s quality of life.
As its name suggests, the signs of illness don’t happen once but continue to recur multiple times as if coming and going in cycles.
Cause of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever
This disease is caused by a uniquely spiral-shaped bacteria known as spirochetes. It belongs to the Borrelia family— the same one that is responsible for the spread of Lyme disease. Both of these infections are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. The difference, however, is that Lyme disease often comes from a hard tick and brings about a single episode of illness, for an unspecified time. TBRF relapses and will reappear over and over.
The reason for this unique trait is that the Borrelia bacteria invade the immune system through antigenic variation. In other words, once the body fights off one form of protein, the bacteria changes to a different protein, allowing it to stick around longer.
Transmitting this disease through bacteria to humans can happen in just a matter of minutes. This makes it tough to spot and remove the tick before the transmission occurs.
Types of TBRF: Borrelia Species
Cases of this disease can be categorized into two different groups— the soft tick relapsing fever (STRF) and the hard tick relapsing fever (HTRF). Determining which type a patient has is based on the type of bacteria, the type of tick, and the area where one may have been exposed.
Here is a closer look at just a few of the many types of bacteria responsible for this illness.
Borrelia hermsii. Borrelia hermsii is considered the most common culprit in the spread of TBRF, especially throughout the United States. They come from soft ticks usually found in wooded or overgrown areas, or thriving in rodents’ nests.
Borrelia parkeri. Found in the southwest United States and throughout Central America, this bacteria is transmitted through soft ticks. It can cause severe systemic reactions that can be dangerous if not treated.
Borrelia duttonii. Borrelia duttonii is another bacteria that is transmitted through soft ticks. It is more often found throughout Africa. These infections need to be treated right away as they can become severe enough to cause multi-organ fever.
Borrelia turicatae. Another type of bacteria, Borrelia turicatae is known for causing these relapsing fevers. And while it is not as common, it does come with a more mild set of symptoms than the other bacteria above.
Despite the type of bacteria involved, it is important to note that this disease is not spread through human-to-human contact, but rather solely through the bite of a tick.
Symptoms of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever
Regardless of the type of tick-borne relapsing fever that someone is infected with, the symptoms are about the same. They most commonly include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue and malaise
Without treatment and in severe cases, a few additional symptoms are:
- Sepsis
- Encephalitis, a.k.a. brain inflammation
- Rash
- Organ failure
With soft tick relapsing fever, the cycles often include 2 to 7 days of fever followed by 4 to 14 days with no fever. This can be repeated over and over for at least several weeks— especially without treatment.
It is not uncommon for those who have been infected with hard tick relapsing fever to not have repeat cycles.
Diagnosing TBRF
A proper diagnosis usually requires some combination of doctor suspicion, a patient history that is in alignment with the condition, and blood tests. A few diagnostic tests include:
- Blood smears to uncover the presence of spirochetes
- PCR testing to detect Borrelia DNA in the blood or other tissues
- Serology is a serological test used to detect antibodies
Sadly, diagnosis does not always come easy. The problem is that TBRF mimics other conditions and many doctors are not well-versed in the disease. This results in patients getting treated for their symptoms without ever getting to the root cause of the problem — or a misdiagnosis. In the meantime, the relapses continue.
Treating TBRF
What is the next step when a patient does receive the proper diagnosis? The primary treatment used for TBRF is a round or two of antibiotics. Generally, these include doxycycline or penicillin.
Early intervention is a must to keep symptoms from getting too severe, as well as preventing complications.
Best efforts aside, sometimes this treatment doesn’t work and alternative treatment may need to be sought.
Finding Relief at Lyme Mexico
If you have been diagnosed with tick-borne relapsing fever and have not received successful recovery or if you feel as though you may have this condition, you may not know what your options are or where to turn.
For the best treatment and healing, you need a TBRF-literate medical team. And that is what you will find at Lyme Mexico. Travel outside the country, such as outside the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand, and find alternate treatments that will give you the relief you have been hoping for.
To learn more about these alternative treatment options, contact us today. Schedule a consultation and become a patient today.
Conclusion
Cycles of recurring fever are common when dealing with illness from spirochetes that begin invading your body and tricking your immune system. If you are suffering from tick-borne relapsing fever, don’t delay in seeking treatment as early diagnosis is key.