Relapsing fever
ICD-10 A68 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of relapsing fever.
Relapsing fever is an infectious disease characterized by recurrent episodes of fever, typically caused by spirochetes of the genus Borrelia. The disease is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected lice or ticks, with Borrelia hermsii and Borrelia recurrentis being the most common causative agents. Clinically, patients present with sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, and myalgia, followed by periods of afebrile intervals. The relapsing nature of the fever is due to the spirochetes' ability to evade the host's immune response through antigenic variation. Geographic distribution of relapsing fever is largely dependent on the vector; for instance, louse-borne relapsing fever is prevalent in crowded and unsanitary conditions, often seen in refugee camps or areas with poor hygiene. Tick-borne relapsing fever is more common in rural areas of Africa, the Americas, and parts of Europe. Diagnosis is typically made through blood smear microscopy or serological tests. Treatment involves the use of antibiotics, with doxycycline being the first-line therapy. Understanding the epidemiology and clinical presentation is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
Detailed travel history, exposure risks, and laboratory results.
Patients presenting with recurrent fevers and travel history to endemic areas.
Ensure accurate identification of the Borrelia species involved.
Comprehensive patient history and symptom tracking.
Patients with febrile illness returning from endemic regions.
Consider differential diagnoses and document any relevant travel history.
Used to confirm the presence of Borrelia species in suspected cases of relapsing fever.
Document the clinical suspicion of relapsing fever and the need for blood cultures.
Infectious disease specialists should ensure comprehensive documentation of the clinical rationale.
Common symptoms include recurrent episodes of high fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. The fever typically lasts for 3-7 days, followed by an afebrile period.
Diagnosis is made through blood smear microscopy to identify spirochetes or through serological tests. A detailed travel history is also crucial.
