| blackwater fever | A condition that results from the presence of haemoglobin in the urine (haemoglobinuria) following infection with Falciparum malaria. Symptoms include fever, tender and enlarged liver and spleen, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and jaundice. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| blue fever | An acute tick-borne illness caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. The disease is characterised by sudden onset of headache, chills and fever which can persist for 2-3 weeks. A characteristic rash appears on the extremities and trunk about the 4th day of illness. (27 Sep 1997) |
| bolivian haemorrhagic fever | A febrile illness similar to Argentinian haemorrhagic fever but caused by the Machupo virus, a member of Arenaviridae. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Bolivian haemorrhagic fever virus | A member of the Arenavirus group of single-stranded RNA viruses also known as Machupo virus; primary reservoir in rodents; produces multiple abnormalities in coagulation system including widespread capillary leak syndrome, which can be fatal. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bouquet 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) |
| boutonneuse fever | A febrile disease of the mediterranean area, the crimea, africa, and india, caused by infection with rickettsia conorii. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bovine ephemeral fever | An acute febrile disease of cattle in many African and Asian countries and Australia, caused by a rhabdovirus and characterised by stiffness and lameness. Synonym: bovine ephemeral fever. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bovine ephemeral fever virus | A rhabdovirus causing bovine ephemeral fever in cattle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bovine petechial fever | A disease of cattle in Kenya caused by the rickettsia Ehrlichia ondiri and characterised by haemorrhage and oedema. Synonym: Ondiri disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| brass founder's fever | An occupational disease, characterised by malaria-like symptoms, due to inhalation of particles and fumes of metallic oxides. Fumes are formed by evaporation at very high temperature and condensation in air into fine particles. Synonym: brass founder's ague, foundryman's fever, metal fume fever, zinc fume fever. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Brazilian haemorrhagic fever | Fulminating sepsis, usually beginning with conjunctivitis, characterised by purpuric skin lesions, a high fatality rate; thought to be due to Haemophilus aegyptius. Synonym: Brazilian haemorrhagic fever, Brazilian purpuric fever. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Brazilian purpuric fever | Fulminating sepsis, usually beginning with conjunctivitis, characterised by purpuric skin lesions, a high fatality rate; thought to be due to Haemophilus aegyptius. Synonym: Brazilian haemorrhagic fever, Brazilian purpuric fever. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Brazilian spotted fever | Fulminating sepsis, usually beginning with conjunctivitis, characterised by purpuric skin lesions, a high fatality rate; thought to be due to Haemophilus aegyptius. Synonym: Brazilian haemorrhagic fever, Brazilian purpuric fever. (05 Mar 2000) |
| breakbone fever | <virology> 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) 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. (15 Nov 1997) |
| bullous fever | An obsolete term for a pyogenic infection due to local trauma, that responds to antibiotic therapy; if untreated, the condition may become extensive and the patient seriously ill. Synonym: bullous fever. (05 Mar 2000) |