Living with Tularemia
A bacterial infection people can get from infected animals, tick or deer fly bites, contaminated water, or dust.
Understanding Tularemia
The bacteria are most common in rodents and rabbits but are found in other animals too. People can get infected by handling infected animals, through tick or deer fly bites, by drinking contaminated water, or by breathing in contaminated dust or aerosols. GARD says person-to-person spread has not been reported. Symptoms vary with how the bacteria enter the body. It can happen at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Lack of energy (asthenia)
- Fast heart rate
- Pneumonia
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 Francisella tularensis, which people can get from animals, ticks, deer flies, contaminated water, or dust.
Also known as: deer fly fever; deerfly fever; francis' disease; francisella tularensis caused disease or disorder; francisella tularensis disease or disorder; francisella tularensis infectious disease
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 Tularemia.
Explore research for Tularemia
Explore actively recruiting Tularemia studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Tularemia 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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