What disease do you get from rabbits?

Tularemia

Tularemia is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted from rabbits to humans. It is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Tularemia can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. In some cases, tularemia can also cause pneumonia, meningitis, and other serious complications.

Symptoms of tularemia

The symptoms of tularemia can vary depending on the route of infection. The most common route of infection is through the skin, which can occur when a person is bitten or scratched by a rabbit or other infected animal. When tularemia is transmitted through the skin, it is known as ulceroglandular tularemia.

Symptoms of ulceroglandular tularemia include:

* Fever

* Chills

* Muscle aches

* Headaches

* Fatigue

* A skin ulcer at the site of the bite or scratch

* Swollen lymph nodes near the skin ulcer

Other routes of infection include:

* Inhalation: Tularemia can be inhaled when a person breathes in dust or aerosols that contain the bacteria. This is known as pneumonic tularemia.

* Ingestion: Tularemia can be ingested when a person drinks or eats contaminated food or water. This is known as oropharyngeal tularemia.

Treatment of tularemia

Tularemia is typically treated with antibiotics. The antibiotics of choice are gentamicin and doxycycline. Treatment should be started as soon as possible after symptoms develop.

Prevention of tularemia

There are a number of things that people can do to prevent tularemia, including:

* Avoid contact with wild rabbits and other rodents.

* Wear gloves when handling rabbits or other rodents.

* Wash your hands thoroughly after handling rabbits or other rodents.

* Cook all meat thoroughly.

* Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk.

Tularemia is a serious infection, but it can be treated effectively if it is diagnosed early.