Recurrent tick fever is a disease caused by numerous species of Borrelia . These bacteria usually infect small rodents (squirrels, mice, etc.), but can also be transmitted to humans by lice or ticks . So far, in Italy, a few dozen cases have been reported in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige and Puglia.
In humans, recurrent tick fever begins after an incubation period of about 5-15 days. The disease causes fever associated with flu-like symptoms (headache, vomiting, joint and muscle pain) lasting 2-9 days, which alternate with periods of apiressia of 2-4 days. In the absence of proper treatment (generally based on antibiotics and bed rest), this trend can occur three to five times before the infection dies out. The disease can take a more serious course, which makes hospitalization necessary, but these are very rare cases of elderly people or those with chronic illnesses already underway.
