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South African tick-bite fever

South African tick-bite fever is a disease passed to humans by ticks that are infected with an organism called Rickettsia africae. These ticks, known as buffalo ticks, usually live on cattle in southern Africa.

Symptoms usually begin within 2 weeks after you get the tick bite. Symptoms may include:

  • Fever and chills.
  • Multiple crusty skin sores, or sores that look like ulcers.
  • Swelling in the area of the skin sores.
  • Generalized swollen glands.

Unlike some tick-borne diseases, South African tick-bite fever does not cause a rash.

A person who has South African tick-bite fever is treated with antibiotics.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.