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Tularemia (Typical Forms)

A zoonosis caused by Francisella tularensis with various clinical forms.

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Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Published:

This content is for general information; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

References (5)

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What is Tularemia (Typical Forms)?

Tularemia is a zoonosis caused by Francisella tularensis and is associated particularly with rabbits, rodents and ticks. It also occurs in Türkiye and frequently produces water-borne outbreaks.

Clinical forms include ulceroglandular, glandular, oropharyngeal, oculoglandular, pneumonic and typhoidal types. The oropharyngeal form is most common in Türkiye (due to contaminated water).

Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy resolve symptoms rapidly; in delayed cases, persistent suppurative lymphadenopathy may remain.

Symptoms

Fever, chills and headache
Painful ulcer and lymphadenopathy at the inoculation site (ulceroglandular form)
Severe sore throat and exudative tonsillitis (oropharyngeal form)
Cervical lymph node enlargement
Eye redness and lymphadenopathy (oculoglandular form)
Cough and dyspnea (pneumonic form)
Systemic symptoms in the typhoidal form

Risk Factors

Rural living and hunting
Use of contaminated source water
Tick bite
Contact with infected rabbit or rodent
Farming
Laboratory work
Occupational exposure (butcher, hunter)

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • When sore throat and neck swelling occur after using source water
  • When a non-healing skin ulcer with lymphadenopathy is present
  • When fever begins after rabbit or tick exposure
  • In tonsillitis unresponsive to standard treatment
  • When similar symptoms occur in an outbreak area

Treatment Methods

01
Streptomycin or gentamicin (in severe cases)
02
Doxycycline or ciprofloxacin (in mild-to-moderate cases)
03
Adequate duration of antibiotics (at least 10-14 days)
04
Drainage of suppurative lymph nodes
05
Supportive care
06
Public-health notification and source control

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Enfeksiyon Hastalıkları department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Enfeksiyon Hastalıkları Department

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.