Question 1

why does the rickettsia test exist if it isn't accurate or accepted?

Accepted Answer

Complicated answer: Even when tests are highly sensitive and specific, how well they can tell a patient if they have the disease or not (positive and negative predictive value) is highly dependent upon the prevalence of the disease. Tests such as this are useful only if the clinical situation supports the diagnosis (we call this pre-test probability).

Question 2

is there a tropical disease clinic that would do me a rickettsia mooseri test?

Accepted Answer

Murine typhus: Rickettsia is a genus of non-motile, Gram-negative, non-sporeforming, highly pleomorphic bacteria that can present as cocci, rods or thread-like.  Rickettsia mooseri is now called Rickettsia typhi.  Onset is characterized by persistent headache, a high grade fever, and a cutaneous rash predominating on the trunk. ELISA tests are available and antibiotics should be started while tests are pending.

Question 3

can you tell me how rickettsia cause illness?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation: This is such an interesting question and I can't answer it in 400 words. Rickettsiae are gram negative bacteria, yet they cannot live outside of a cell. They are energy parasites. Since they are "other" they are attacked by the immune cells leading to inflammation which leads to fever and manifestations of disease such as typhus, RMSF, ehrlichiosis. 
If this answers your question, or we converse.

Question 4

how can rickettsia prowazeckii (epidemic typhus) reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Epidemic Typhus: Rickettsia prowazekii only replicate within host cells.

Question 5

can you tell me how rickettsia prowazeckii (epidemic typhus) reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Reproduction: Rickettsia prowazekii only replicate within host cells.

Question 6

in jan i was diagnosed with tick bite fever. till today i struggle with headaches after numerous dr visits today the dr said i have rickettsia conorai. what damaged could be done in 10 months time.

Accepted Answer

Tick: Did they say Lyme was negative. It can be treated with no permanent damage in many cases.

Question 7

igm + for lyme and have had symptoms for years. cmv  igm+ for 2 yrs. chronic lyme as dx. bebesis and rickettsia +. what are long term effects of cmv?

Accepted Answer

See below: In adults, CMV is usually asymptomatic, but in immunocompromised people, it can be deadly and also in pregnant women, the fetus can be severely affected.

Question 8

i have chronic rickettsia, mycoplasma pneumonia, occipital and trigeminal neuralgia what do i do? i'm so sick. i've been on antibiotics for 9 months

Accepted Answer

Wow: Your list of diagnosis and the duration of antibiotic use makes me nervous and suspicious. I am not clear on who is treating you, but I would definitely get another opinion. You should consider seeing a specialist physician with all those labels hanging around your neck. Definitely not something that will get resolved on this platform

Question 9

dr put me on doxycyl 100mg for rickettsia, tick bite fever. i have bad fevers and chills. my body is aching everywhere as if i have the flu and my eyesight is blurry, i have started having diarrhoea too.i am only on my 3rd dose, should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

Contact doctor ASAP: Tick borne relapsing fever is not a rickettsial disease, but due to a bacteria called Borrelia. Sometimes TBRF treatment causes a Jarish-Herxheimer reaction when the antibiotic rapidly kills billions of bacteria releasing toxins into the blood, with high fever, chills etc for 1-2 days. If blurry vision means brain involvement, you'll need IV antibiotic. Immediately contact the doctor treating you.

Question 10

what is a v-q test?

Accepted Answer

V/q scan: Ventilation/perfusion test used as an alternative test for a Ct angiogram to rule out pulmonary embolism or blood clots in lungs.

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Doctor answers about:

Rickettsia test

A member asked:

Why does the rickettsia test exist if it isn't accurate or accepted?

A member asked:

Is there a tropical disease clinic that would do me a rickettsia mooseri test?

A member asked:

Can you tell me how rickettsia cause illness?

A member asked:

How can rickettsia prowazeckii (epidemic typhus) reproduce?

A member asked:

Can you tell me how rickettsia prowazeckii (epidemic typhus) reproduce?

A member asked:

In jan i was diagnosed with tick bite fever. till today i struggle with headaches after numerous dr visits today the dr said i have rickettsia conorai. what damaged could be done in 10 months time.

A member asked:

Igm + for lyme and have had symptoms for years. cmv igm+ for 2 yrs. chronic lyme as dx. bebesis and rickettsia +. what are long term effects of cmv?

A member asked:

I have chronic rickettsia, mycoplasma pneumonia, occipital and trigeminal neuralgia what do i do? i'm so sick. i've been on antibiotics for 9 months

A member asked:

Dr put me on doxycyl 100mg for rickettsia, tick bite fever. i have bad fevers and chills. my body is aching everywhere as if i have the flu and my eyesight is blurry, i have started having diarrhoea too.i am only on my 3rd dose, should i be worried?

A member asked:

What is a v-q test?

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