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Rickettsialpox in Child
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Rickettsialpox in Child

Contributors: Edith Lederman MD, Noah Craft MD, PhD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Rickettsialpox is a febrile, infectious disease caused by Rickettsia akari, which is transmitted to humans by the painless bite of mouse mites (Liponyssoides sanguineus). The disease has been identified in urban areas of the United States as well as South Korea, South Africa, and parts of Russia.

An eschar develops at the site of the mite bite within 24-48 hours, and this typically precedes the fever and systemic illness by another 1 or 2 days. The clinical course consists of fever that ranges from 38.3-41.1°C (101-106°F), malaise, headache, stiff neck, photophobia, myalgias, sweats, and chills. Conjunctival inflammation, cough, generalized adenopathy, and pharyngitis have all been described. The disease lasts 2-3 weeks with a persistent headache and lassitude that can last for weeks following the acute illness.

Codes

ICD10CM:
A79.1 – Rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari

SNOMEDCT:
75096007 – Rickettsialpox

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Last Updated:05/30/2022
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Rickettsialpox in Child
A medical illustration showing key findings of Rickettsialpox : Fever, Headache, Bite or trauma site, Eschar, Mouse exposure, Smooth papules
Clinical image of Rickettsialpox - imageId=167281. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'An eschar with a surrounding erythematous plaque on the leg.'
An eschar with a surrounding erythematous plaque on the leg.
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