Alternative
names back to top
Deerfly fever; Rabbit fever
Organism
Francisella tularensis bacteria
Overview
Tularemia is an infection that occurs in wild rodents caused
by the organism Francisella tularensis. It is transmitted
to humans by contact with animals, infected animal tissues,
or ticks. Tularemia occurs most commonly in parts of Europe
and Asia and is uncommon in America. In a biological attack,
the bacteria would most likely be spread through an aerosol
spray. Following a short incubation, flu-like symptoms begin
with sudden onset of fever, chills, profuse sweats, generalized
muscle aches and pains extreme weakness and marked prostration.
Shortly following these symptoms a severe atypical pneumonia
ensues with widespread lymph node swelling and spleen enlargement.
The illness may continue for several weeks after the onset
of symptoms.
Carriers
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The carriers include infected animals, birds, arthropods,
such as spiders and insects, as well as contaminated water.
Human to human transmission has not been recorded, even in
the presence of severe cases of Tularemia pneumonia.
Biological
Weapons Use
Tularemia is extremely infectious, readily available and far
fewer organisms are needed to cause onset of symptoms than
for Anthrax or Botulism, but it is also difficult to grow
and is quite delicate when disseminated. It is the least likely
of the six CDC Category A biological agents to be deployed
by Terrorists.
Toxicity
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Tularemia can cause severe tissue destruction within a very
short time, but it is usually limited to local areas. Entire
lobes of the lung may become solidified with dead tissue and
inflammatory pus. The acute phase of the infection usually
begins to subside within two to three weeks after the onset
of fever, or sooner if appropriately treated, although patients
are frequently sick for as long as one to two months and occasionally
experience recurring relapses and chronic lymph node swelling.
Contagiousness
Humans can contract the disease from direct contact with an
infected animal or carcass via broken skin; from the bite
of an infected flea or tick; or from ingesting infected meat
(rare).
Incubation
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The incubation period is 1-21 days, but most often symptoms
develop within 2-4 days.
Symptoms
back
to top
-
Red
spot on the skin, enlarging to an ulcer if infected by the
bite of an animal
-
Enlarged
lymph nodes of groin or armpits
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Signs
and tests back to top
- serology
for tularemia
- blood culture
for tularemia
- chest x-ray
This disease
may also alter the results of febrile/cold agglutinins.
Complications
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia
- Pericarditis
- Osteomyelitis
Prognosis
Tularemia is fatal in about 5% of untreated cases, and in less
than 1% with treatment.
Does past infection with Tularemia make a person immune?
Long term immunity will follow recovery from Tularemia, however,
re-infection has been reported.
Prevention
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to top
The key to prevention is a healthy immune system.
Since it is known that 95% of the population recovers from the
Tularemia even if untreated, a healthy immune response is your
best defense. To make certain that you keep your immune system
at its peak, Dr. Hansen recommends the following:
1. Take
the oral homeopathic vaccine: Influenzinum
9C annually (This homeopathic medicine is a broad spectrum
remedy that boosts immune responsiveness
against flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle
pains, malaise, etc, which can be confused
with initial symptom )
2.
Take a high potency multi-vitamin (Dr. Hansen recommends Peak
Advantage)
3. Avoid processed sugar (100 grams of Sugar suppresses the
immune system by 50% for 5 hours)
4. Get a minimum of 7 ½ hours of sleep per night.
5. If you develop flu symptoms take Flu
Solution(this is a very effective homeopathic medicine
for the initial phase of fever, headache,
muscle aches, general malaise, etc.)
6. If Tularemia is found in the U.S.: Take
Homeopathic Biological Defense T: 1 tablet once per
week for 4 weeks as a precaution.
7. For an exposure to Tularemia without confirmed infection:
Take Homeopathic Biological Defense T: 1 tablet once daily for
14 days.
Vaccines
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A vaccine is currently being developed, but is not available to
the general public. Dr. Hansen recommends taking the Oral
Homeopathic Vaccine: Influenzinum 9C: 3 granules once
per week for 4 weeks. This homeopathic medicine is a broad-spectrum
vaccine that boosts immune responsiveness against flu-like symptoms
such as fever, chills, headache, muscle pains, malaise, etc.
If Tularemia
is found in the U.S., Dr. Hansen recommends taking Homeopathic
Biological Defense T: 1 tablet once per week for 4 weeks
as a precaution.
Treatment
Streptomycin and tetracycline are commonly used in this infection.
Other antibiotics such as gentamycin and tobramycin have also
been reported to be effective. If antibiotic therapy is not started
early, the disease is often fatal.
Note: oral
tetracycline is usually not prescribed for children until after
all the permanent teeth have erupted. It can permanently discolor
teeth that are still forming.
Additionally,
Dr. Hansen recommends taking Homeopathic Biological Defense T:
1 tablet 4 times daily, every 4 hours. (Note: For an exposure
without confirmed infection: Dr. Hansen recommends taking Homeopathic
Biological Defense T: 1 tablet once daily for 14 days as a precaution.
If symptoms occur, begin taking 1 tablet 4 times daily, every
4 hours)
Homeopathic
Biological Defense T back
to top
Homeopathic medicines are natural, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
that work via amplification of the body's own healing response.
Homeopathic medicines have been used to treat symptoms similar
to those of Tularemia.
Indications
by Ingredient
The following is a list of indications for each Homeopathic medicine
included in the formula for Homeopathic Biological Defense T as
described in the approved Homeopathic Materia Medica recognized
by the FDA and the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States.
| Arsenicum
album |
Phosphorus |
- Headache
- High
fever with cold sweats
- Great
exhaustion and weakness
- Anxious
and restlessness
- Nausea
and vomiting
- Skin
eruption, bumps and ulcers with pus
- Air
passages constricted
- Burning
in chest
- Dry
cough
|
-
Sudden onset
- Fever
with profuse perspiration
- Chills
every evening
- Weakness
& difficulty walking, lightheadedness
- Purplish
skin eruptions and ulcers
- Cough
with congestion of lungs and burning pains
|
| Cinchona
officinalis |
Bryonia
alba |
-
Intense
throbbing of head
- Face
flushed
- Intermittent
fever with debilitating night sweats ·
- Chilliness
over the whole body
- Nausea
and vomiting
- Abdomen
bloated, cold
- Liver
and spleen swollen and enlarged
- Labored,
slow respiration
- Suffocative
congestion and rattling in chest
-
Skin ulcers
|
-
Bursting, splitting headache
- Dry,
parched lips with excessive thirst
- Extreme
weakness
- Easy,
profuse perspiration
- Chill
with external coldness
- Nausea
& faintness when risingup
- Liver
region swollen, sore
- Dry,
hacking cough
- Difficult,
quick respiration - worse every movement
- Rust
colored sputu
|
|
