National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Tularemia

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I was diagnosed with tularemia in 1990. I was treated with streptomycin for 7 days. Can this condition have any lasting effects on the organs (heart, lungs, thyroid, kidneys)?
When treated promptly, tularemia seldom has long-term effects. If it is untreated or if treatment is delayed, the infection may affect any part of the body, causing:[1][2]


  • Lung problems, such as pneumonia
  • Damage to the cornea of the eye
  • Enlargement of the heart
  • Infection of the spinal fluid or fluid surrounding the brain, such as meningitis
  • Bone infection (osteomyelitis)  

If untreated, severe forms of tularemia can be fatal.[2]

Last updated: 5/10/2010

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  1. Dugdale DC, Vyas JM. Tularemia. MedlinePlus. 2009; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000856.htm. Accessed 5/10/2010.
  2. Zerr D, Zanga J, Larimore W. Tularemia. University of Illinois Medical Center. 2006; http://uimc.discoveryhospital.com/main.php?t=enc&id=404. Accessed 5/10/2010.