5 Common But Embarrassing Symptoms You Should Definitely Talk to Your Doctor About
A Kidney Transplant Came With An Unwelcome Hitchhiker: A Deadly Tick Germ
A person's precious organ donation came with an unexpected visitor. In a new paper out this month, scientists have documented an unconventional way of catching a rare germ normally spread by ticks: from a person's infected donated kidney.
Doctors and health officials detailed the unusual mishap in a report published Monday in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. Both the living donor and recipient became sick soon after their operations, leading doctors to discover that the former had transmitted an infection caused by Ehrlichia bacteria. Fortunately, the tainted transfer was detected in time and both patients were treated successfully.
Oh Good, a New Way That Ticks Can Make Us Sick
Ticks are prolific carriers of many germs, including the germs behind Lyme disease, relapsing fever, and ehrlichiosis. Several species of bacteria cause ehrlichiosis, though most cases are tied to Ehrlichia chaffeensis. The disease is rarely documented, though cases have been increasing over time. In 2022, there were 1,570 reported cases of ehrlichiosis compared to 201 cases in 2000, when the disease first became nationally tracked. But this most recent case is even rarer than usual.
According to the report authors, the donor was a 33-year-old man from Minnesota who agreed to donate his kidney to an unrelated recipient. He had no obvious red flags, passing all the typical screening tests, which include looking for infections that could be dangerous if passed onto a transplant recipient. His recipient was a 24-year-old man with end-stage kidney disease from Wisconsin.
Both men's operations went smoothly. But on the same day after his kidney was removed, the donor developed a rash on his left hip and leg along with muscle pain and weakness. Doctors diagnosed him with rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle tissue rapidly breaks down and releases proteins that damage organs, particularly the kidney. Doctors stabilized him quickly, and he recovered well enough to be discharged six days after the operation.
The recipient, meanwhile, appeared fine at first. But a week after the transplant, he was admitted to the hospital with fever, joint pain, and fluid build-up around his kidneys. Given the man's other symptoms, including a low platelet count, the doctors tested him for various tickborne germs, which eventually confirmed the presence of E. Chaffeensis bacteria. He was given a new course of antibiotics standard for these infections and eventually recovered as well.
Invasive Ticks Carrying New Diseases Are Spreading Through the Northeast
All ehrlichiosis cases in the U.S. Must be reported to state health agencies. The recipient's organ transplantation, coupled with the fact that he had no other risk factor for ehrlichiosis (such as traveling recently to tick-laden parts of the U.S.), prompted a wider investigation by health officials in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Eventually, they discovered that the donor had traveled to Kansas for a hunting trip a month before his operation, and that he had to remove several ticks from his clothing and body while there. He also felt sick a week before the transplant, though he attributed it to simple food poisoning. Other tests found evidence of the bacteria in the donor and in the transplanted kidney.
"The laboratory evidence, exposure history, and epidemiology of ehrlichiosis strongly support donor-derived transmission of E. Chaffeensis initially acquired by the donor through a tick bite in Kansas 3 weeks before donation," the authors wrote.
Transplanted cases of ehrlichiosis are exceedingly rare, but not unheard of—and they can be deadly. A 2021 paper, for instance, detailed two deaths likely caused by ehrlichiosis caught from a single deceased donor's kidneys in 2020. The typical fatality rate is around 1%, though roughly 60% of patients still get hospitalized as a result. But ehrlichiosis and other infections are generally more dangerous for transplant recipients, since they have to take immune-suppressing drugs to avoid organ rejection.
Given how rare this disease is, the doctors say it wouldn't be justified to routinely screen for it in donors. But transplant doctors should keep an eye out for the potential risk posed by ehrlichiosis and other germs normally spread by ticks. "In summary, clinicians should remain vigilant for tickborne infections in potential organ donors, particularly those with known exposure to common disease vectors," they wrote.
Identifying Infected Bug Bites, Treatments, And When To Contact A Doctor
Infected bug bites may require a course of antibiotics. Seek urgent medical treatment if you develop red skin streaks, the bite area spreads, your pain worsens, or you develop symptoms of sepsis.
Some bug bites may resolve with home remedies. However, some bug bites require medical treatment, including:
Read on to learn how to identify infected bug bites and how to treat them. This article also looks at when to contact a doctor or seek medical advice for an infected bug bite.
Most bug bites will be itchy for several days. While it may heal with home remedies, it's important to look out for signs of infection.
An infected bug bite may cause:
Pictures of infected bug bites
View the slideshow below for photos of infected bug bites.
Bug bites can often cause a lot of itching. Scratching may make you feel better, but breaking the skin can transfer bacteria from your hand into the bite. This can lead to an infection.
Different infections can develop following a bug bite.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a skin infection. It's most common in infants and children, but adults can get it too. Impetigo is very contagious.
Impetigo is more common in itchy bites. It causes sores around the bite. Eventually, the sores rupture, ooze for a few days, and then form a yellowish crust. The sores may be mildly itchy and sore.
The sores may be mild and contained to one area, or more widespread. More severe impetigo may cause scarring.
No matter the severity, impetigo is usually not dangerous and can be treated with antibiotics. However, untreated impetigo can cause cellulitis.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of your skin and the surrounding tissue. It's -.
Symptoms of cellulitis include:
You can usually treat cellulitis with antibiotics. Untreated or severe cellulitis can cause sepsis, a life threatening complication of infection.
Lymphangitis
Lymphangitis is an inflammation of the lymphatic vessels, which connect lymph nodes and move lymph throughout your body. These vessels are part of your immune system.
Symptoms of lymphangitis include:
Antibiotics can treat lymphangitis. Without treatment, it can lead to other infections, such as sepsis.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is an illness caused by a bacteria transmitted through tick bites. In the United States, Lyme disease is most common in the northeast, mid-Atlantic, and north-central states.
Lyme disease rashes usually appear within 1 to 4 weeks after the tick has bitten you, though it can take up to 3 months to appear. Not everyone who has Lyme disease gets a bull's-eye rash, but it's characteristic of Lyme disease
Antibiotics can treat Lyme disease. It's important to diagnose and treat Lyme disease early, and you should always check for ticks after being outdoors in areas where Lyme disease is common.
Untreated Lyme disease can cause issues with your joints, heart, and nervous system.
You may be able to treat minor infections at home with over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointments. In many cases though, you'll need to contact a doctor if you have an infected bug bite or sting.
You should contact a doctor if:
Other reasons to contact a doctor
An infection is just one reason to contact a doctor after an insect bite or sting. You should also contact a doctor after a bite or sting if you:
Additionally, get emergency medical treatment if you have symptoms of anaphylaxis, an emergency condition caused by a severe allergic reaction.
Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction to a trigger, such as an allergy, and is potentially life threatening.
Symptoms can develop quickly and include:
If you or someone nearby develops these symptoms, you should:
It is possible for someone to need more than one injection with an epinephrine pen. If symptoms do not begin to clear after 5 minutes, give a second injection if one is available.
A doctor can advise on medical treatments to treat an infected bite or sting. The treatment may depend on the type of infection that develops.
Your doctor may recommend a combination of medical treatments and home remedies.
Home remedies
Most home remedies focus on easing symptoms while you're taking antibiotics.
Home remedies for infected insect bites can include:
Medical treatments
In many cases, an infected bug bite will need an antibiotic. You may be able to try OTC antibiotic ointments for minor bug bites without symptoms of severe infection. Your pharmacist can recommend the right ointment for you.
If symptoms do not improve, or if your infection is severe, a doctor can prescribe stronger topical or oral antibiotics.
If abscesses develop because of the infection, it may be necessary to drain it. This is usually an outpatient procedure.
Scratching a bug bite may make you feel better, but it can also cause an infection if bacteria from your hand gets into the bite.
Types of bug bite infections can include impetigo, cellulitis, lymphangitis, and Lyme disease. They can cause symptoms such as redness or discoloration, swelling, warmth, and pus.
Contact a doctor as soon as you have concerns about an infected bug bite. Your doctor may recommend OTC or prescription antibiotics. Some home remedies, such as applying an ice pack and taking pain relief medication, may also help manage symptoms.
Outdoor Action Guide To Giardia, Lyme Disease And Other 'post Trip' Illnesses
Tuesday March 04, 2025
by Rick CurtisWe hope that you had an exciting and enjoyable time in the wilderness on your Outdoor Action Trip. After you've gotten a shower and washed your clothes, there are a few important pieces of information you need to be aware of. All outdoor travelers may come in contact with things during the trip that can lead to illnesses later on. Typically, the signs and symptoms of these illnesses don't become apparent until after your trip is over, so it is important that you be able to recognize them. Should you experience some of the symptoms noted below after an Outdoor Action Trip, go to the University Health Center and describe your symptoms to a practitioner or see your own physician. Be sure to inform the health practitioner about your backcountry trip since they may not initially identify the proper cause of the illness without knowing about your wilderness trip. Most of these illnesses can be treated effectively using antibiotics, as long as you go for treatment promptly. For more information on any of these, see the Centers for Disease Control Web site (www.Cdc.Gov).
Water-borne InfectionsGiardia: Giardiasis refers to a syndrome of diarrhea, excess gas, and abdominal cramping. It is caused by Giardia lamblia, a water-borne parasite that is worldwide in distribution. The symptoms usually occur one to two weeks after exposure to the parasite. Symptoms initially include diarrhea, bloating, nausea, abdominal cramping, and malaise. Weight loss is also a frequent finding. Backcountry travelers usually contract giardiasis by drinking water from untreated or improperly treated sources. Chemical treatment of the water and commercial water filtration systems, used properly, eradicate the parasite. The diagnosis of giardiasis can be confirmed by inspecting a stool sample for the presence of the parasite. Because this test may not always identify the organism even if it is present, a physician may elect to treat you empirically for the infection. The use of an appropriate antibiotic for seven days is usually highly effective in relieving symptoms and curing the disease.
Cryptosporidium: Cryptosporidium is a protozoan that causes a diarrheal illness similar to Giardia. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, headache, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever that may appear 2 to 10 days after infection. Some infected people will be asymptomatic. Currently, there is no effective treatment for Cryptosporidium. Symptoms usually last 1 to 2 weeks, at which time the body's immune system is able to stop the infection. People with normal immune systems are generally not at risk and improve without taking antibiotics or antiparasitic medications. For people with compromised immune systems this can be a dangerous disease. Please see your physician.
Cyclospora: Cyclospora is a recently discovered cause of diarrhea. It can cause a prolonged illness (average 6 weeks) with profound fatigue, loss of appetite, and intermittent diarrhea. Cyclospora can be treated with antibiotics. If you develop these symptoms, consult your physician.
Tick-borne DiseasesLyme Disease: Lyme disease is an infection caused by a spiral shaped bacterium called a spirochete. This bacterium is carried in the gut of the deer tick Ixodes dammini. The tick becomes infected after feeding on the blood of an infected animal. Once infected, the tick can transmit the disease to its next host. Deer ticks are extremely small, with tick nymphs being about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. This means that you may have been bitten without realizing it. The tick needs to feed for an extended period of time (8-12 hours) before infection can occur. So just because you have found a tick does not mean that you have been infected. It is also possible that the tick was not carrying the disease.
Detecting Lyme Disease can be difficult to identify in the early stages as the early symptoms—fever, headache, stiffness, lethargy, and a myriad of other mild complaints, are often dismissed as the flu. In some cases (25%), there is a red, ring-like rash that occurs at the site of the bite. The rash is often referred to as a "bull's eye" rash because it has a white center surrounded by a red ring. Most typically, the rash expands and then fades within a few weeks after the bite. There is a blood test for Lyme Disease, but it is not perfect. The test generally produces positive results in the later stages of the disease but often turns up false negative results in the early stages of infection. Therefore, diagnosis in the early phase is frequently based on symptoms and the likelihood of a deer tick bite. Early detection means early treatment when the disease is most effectively controlled with antibiotics. Lyme disease can result in more serious symptoms if left untreated.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: This disease is carried by a bacterium and can be transmitted by the bites of dog or wood ticks. Contrary to what the name of the disease suggests, it can be found throughout the U.S. Watch for mild chills, appetite loss, and a general run-down feeling. These symptoms may worsen to sever chills, fever, headaches, muscle and bone pain, and sensitivity to light. Also, a spotty red rash may appear (hence the name) usually starting at the wrists and ankles and spreading over the rest of the body. Normal onset of these symptoms is anywhere between 3 and 14 days, so anyone bitten by a tick should be aware of the disease, as it may not present itself until the trip is over. Untreated, the mortality rate is 20 to 30%. Anyone who shows these signs should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Ehrlichiosis: Ehrlichiosis is a recently recognized tick-borne disease caused by a bacterium. The disease is similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever and can be life threatening. The most common symptoms are sudden high fever, tiredness, major muscle aches, severe headache, and, in some cases, a rash (similar to the symptoms of Lyme Disease). Symptoms usually appear 3 to 16 days after a tick bite. The same ticks that carry Lyme Disease can also transmit Ehrlichiosis at the same time. Without treatment Ehrlichiosis can be fatal. Ehrlichiosis can be treated with the same antibiotic used to treat Lyme Disease. Anyone who shows these signs should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Tick Paralysis: A number of species of ticks can transmit tick paralysis. It is not an infection, but a by-product of venom in the tick's saliva that is secreted while the tick is attached. Symptoms are unsteady movement and gait (ataxia) and ascending paralysis starting in the lower extremities and moving up. Paralysis can cause loss of respiratory drive, requiring CPR and immediate evacuation. Once the tick is removed, the source of the venom is gone and the patient generally recovers completely. Children are more likely to be affected than adults. Any patient with an ascending paralysis should be carefully checked for an attached tick.
Tularemia: Tularemia, or rabbit fever, is a bacterial disease of which the most common carriers are rabbits, although it can also be transmitted by ticks. The disease presents with flu-like symptoms and can be treated with antibiotics.
Mosquito-borne DiseasesWest Nile Virus: West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness that is transmitted by the bite of some mosquitoes. WNV affects the central nervous system. Symptoms vary.
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