Relapsing fever is a disease caused by the spirochete bacterial species Borrelia miyamotoi and which can be transmitted from the bite of a deer tick. Once the pathogen enters the hosts blood stream, it travels throughout the body affecting multiple organs. The immune system will create antibodies against the surface of the pathogen reducing symptoms temporarily. Borrelia miyamotoi has been phylogenetically classified into three types:
-
- Asian – I. persulcatus
- European – I. ricinus
- American – I. scapularis and I. pacificus
Any remaining pathogens not destroyed by the immune system will change their surface structures so the immune system doesn’t recognize and/or respond. This gives the bacteria time to replicate and spread. Symptoms will appear again and the immune system will have to create new antibodies against the pathogen. The symptoms will be reduced and if any pathogens remain, they will change their surface structure and the immune system no longer recognizes or responds. This cycle continues until the patient is treated with antibiotics.
Tick-borne Relapsing Fever usually manifests in a telltale pattern, with three days of fever followed by seven days without, often repeating several times if the infected person does not recieve treatment. Common symptoms include:
-
- High fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Muscle and joint ache