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Tularemia, Pediatric

Amaran Moodley, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Tularemia is an infection caused by Francisella tularensis, often presenting with fever, myalgia, and headache 3 to 6 days after initial exposure. The extent of the illness depends o...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • In the right clinical setting, a history of occupational exposure or recreational activity previously noted as risk factors should raise suspicion for tularemia.

  • History of a recent ti...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • IV/IM gentamicin for 7 to 10 days is considered 1st-line therapy in children.

  • 2nd-line therapeutic options include streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, or doxycycline. Relapses have been as...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • When recognized and treated with appropriate antibiotics, the course is generally <1 month.

  • Mortality is low, except in cases of fulminant disease or in immunocompromised patie...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Cross JT Jr, Schutze GE, Jacobs RF. Treatment of tularemia with gentamicin in pediatric patients. Pediatr Infect Dis J.  1995;14(2):151–152. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Elia...

CODES

ICD9

  • 021.9 Unspecified tularemia

  • 021.0 Ulceroglandular tularemia

  • 021.3 Oculoglandular tularemia

  • 021.8 Other specified tularemia

  • 021.1 Enteric tularemia

  • 021.2 Pulmonary tularemia

ICD10

  • A21.9 Tularemia, u...

FAQ

  • Q: If a tick is removed from my child, should antibiotics be started?

  • A: No. Empiric antimicrobial therapy will not prevent tularemia.

  • Q: Can my child get tularemia again?

  • A: No. It appears once infe...

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