Health encyclopaedia

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Causes of Relapsing fever

Relapsing fever is caused by a spirochete of the Borrelia group. Transmission by a louse occurs when the insect, having taken blood, passes to another human and is crushed into the skin during scratching.

Ticks transmit the disease by passing on the spirochetes that they have picked up by feeding on infected people or rodents. The ticks may harbour the spirochetes for years, passing them on to subsequent generations of ticks. Infection occurs when the tick bites a person, usually at night. The bite is painless and often goes unnoticed.

• RabiesRadiationRadiotherapyRaynaud's phenomenonRectal examinationRed blood countReiter's syndromeRelapsing feverRenin testRepetitive strain injuryRespiratory distress syndromeRespiratory tract infectionRespite careRestless leg syndromeRestricted growthRetinal detachmentReye's syndromeRhesus factor diseaseRheumatic feverRheumatoid arthritisRhinitisRicketsRingwormRisks and benefits of treatmentRoot canal treatmentRosaceaRoundwormRubella

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