| snail fever | Disease (bilharzia) caused by digenetic trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma, the adults of which live in the urinary or mesenteric blood vessels. Eggs shed by the female worms pass to the outside in the urine or faeces, but many also lodge in and obstruct the blood flow in the liver. Eosinophils seem to be particularly important in the killing of the invasive larval stage (schistosomulum). Evasion of the host's immune response by adult schistosomes seems to involve the acquisition of a coat of host cell surface material by the parasite. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| solar fever | A tropical disease caused by dengue virus (Arbovirus), that is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito of the genus Aedes). Four severity grades of the illness are seen: grade I (fever and constitutional symptoms), grade II (grade I plus spontaneous bleeding of skin, gums or gastrointestinal tract), grade III (grade II plus agitation and circulatory failure) and grade IV (profound shock). Grade I infection is seen most frequently in world travelers, where it is usually self-limited and rarely fatal. The other grades are referred to as dengue haemorrhagic fever and are often fatal. Dengue haemorrhagic fever appears to be an infection by one of the other dengue viruses. Prior immunity to a different dengue virus type appears to be important in the development of the more serious haemorrhagic form. Vaccines are available. Protection from mosquitoes is an important preventive measure. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Songo fever | A condition characterised by acute onset of headache, chills and high fever, sweating, thirst, photophobia, coryza, cough, myalgia, arthralgia, and abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting; this phase lasts from three to six days and is followed by capillary and renal interstitial haemorrhages, oedema, oliguria, azotemia, and shock; most varieties are caused by arboviruses (togaviruses, arenaviruses, flaviviruses, and bunyaviruses), and are rodent-borne. Synonym: haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, Songo fever. (05 Mar 2000) |
| South African tick-bite fever | A typhus-like fever of South Africa caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and usually characterised by primary eschar and regional adenitis, rigors, and maculopapular rash on the fifth day, often with severe central nervous system symptoms. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spirillum fever | An acute infection characterised by recurrent episodes of pyrexia alternating with asymptomatic intervals of apparent recovery. This condition has worldwide distribution and is caused by spirochetes of the genus borrelia. (12 Dec 1998) |
| splenic fever | Known also as anthrax, splenic fever is a serious bacterial infection. It is not primarily a human disease but rather an infection of animals. Cattle, sheep, horses, mules, and some wild animals are highly susceptible. Humans (and swine) are generally resistant to anthrax. Anthrax can take different forms. With the lung form of the disease. People inhale the anthrax spores and, if untreated, are likely to die. An intestinal form is caused by eating meat contaminated with anthrax. But most human anthrax comes from skin contact with animal products. Cutaneous (skin) anthrax was once well known among people who handled infected animals, like farmers, more than woolsorters, tanners, brushmakers and carpetmakers in the days when the brushes and carpets were animal products. The hallmark of skin anthrax is a carbuncle, a cluster of boils, that ulcerates in an ugly way. Typically, this lesion has a hard black centre surrounded by bright red inflammation. This accounts for its name, anthrax , the greek word for coal. (12 Dec 1998) |
| spotted fever | <infectious disease> An acute febrile (feverish) disease initially recognised in the Rocky Mountain states, caused by Rickettsia rickettsii transmitted by hard-shelled (ixodid) ticks. Occurs only in the Western Hemisphere. The disease is characterised by sudden onset of headache, chills and fever which can persist for 2-3 weeks, muscle pain. A characteristic rash appears on the extremities and trunk about the 4th day of illness. The rickettsiae grow within damaged cells lining blood vessels which may become blocked by clots. Blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis) is widespread Early recognition of the condition and prompt antibiotic treatment is important in reducing mortality. Synonym: spotted fever, tick fever, and tick typhus. (25 Jun 1999) |
| nanukayami fever | A form of leptospirosis known in Japan and caused by a leptospira normally found in the field mouse or vole. Synonym: nanukayami. (05 Mar 2000) |
| steroid fever | Fever presumably caused by elevated plasma concentrations of certain pyrogenic steroids; can be produced by administration of etiocholanolone. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nine mile fever | <infectious disease> An acute (abrupt-onset), self-limited febrile illness first reported in 1935 in Queensland, Australia. The Q is said not to be for Queensland, but for query since the cause of the disease was long a query (question mark). It is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, a rickettsia which mainly afflicts sheep and cattle but can be transmitted to humans who have contact with infected animals. Symptoms resemble those of influenza and include sudden onset of fever, headache, malaise, and pneumonia (interstitial pneumonitis) but no rash. (12 Dec 1998) |
| nodal fever | <dermatology> A disorder characterised by the formation of tender, red nodules on the front of the legs. Erythema nodosum primarily affects women and has been associated with certain infections: coccidiomycosis, fungal infections, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and syphilis. A sensitivity to a particular drug (for example penicillin, progestin, birth control pills) may also manifest this disorder. Other disorders and conditions that have been associated with erythema nodosum include: leukaemia, sarcoidosis, rheumatic fever, ulcerative colitis and pregnancy. (27 Sep 1997) |
| North Queensland tick fever | A mild form of tick-borne typhus with eschar, adenopathy, rash, and fever, caused by Rickettsia australis and thought to be transmitted by the tick, Ixodes holocyclus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dandy fever | Tropical disease caused by a flavivirus (one of the arboviruses), transmitted by mosquitoes. A more serious complication is dengue shock syndrome, a haemorrhagic fever probably caused by an immune complex hypersensitivity after re exposure. (18 Nov 1997) |
| date fever | Tropical disease caused by a flavivirus (one of the arboviruses), transmitted by mosquitoes. A more serious complication is dengue shock syndrome, a haemorrhagic fever probably caused by an immune complex hypersensitivity after re exposure. (18 Nov 1997) |
| deer-fly fever | <infectious disease, microbiology> A rare infection of rabbits and rodents caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis. Francisella tularensis is found in many animals (rabbits, rodents) and may be transmitted by direct contact or via insect bite (ticks and deer-fly). Humans can also contract the illness via the direct contact with the infected animal carcass (break in the skin). The illness is characterised by an ulcerative lesion at the site of the inoculation with regional lymph node swelling, pneumonia, fever, chills, headache, muscle pains and joint stiffness. Risk factors include an exposure to rabbits or recent tick bite. A vaccine is available for high risk workers. Treatment is with streptomycin or tetracycline. Tularaemia is fatal in 5% of untreated cases and in less than 1% of treated cases. Incidence: less than 200 cases per year (USA). Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (18 Jul 2002) |