Living with Trench fever
A bacterial infection spread by body lice that can cause fever, headache, and shin pain.
Understanding Trench fever
The illness varies from person to person. It can begin suddenly or slowly, and fevers may come back (relapse). Some people have only vague symptoms that look like other infections. It can happen at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these as possible features:
- Fever that may come back
- Headache
- Leg pain, most often in the shinbone
- Infection of the heart lining (endocarditis)
- Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by the bacterium Bartonella quintana, which is carried by lice.
Also known as: bartonella quintana caused disease or disorder; bartonella quintana disease or disorder; bartonella quintana infectious disease; bartonellosis due to bartonella quintana infection; febris quintata; fever due to bartonella quintana
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Trench fever.
Explore research for Trench fever
Explore actively recruiting Trench fever studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Trench fever with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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