Symptoms
Tularemia infection varies from a mild illness to acute sepsis (serious infection of the blood or other tissues) and rapid death. After exposure to the bacteria, you will usually develop symptoms within 3 to 5 days, but they can take up to 21 days to appear. Symptoms include:
- Sudden fever
- Chills
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
- Joint stiffness or pain
- Dry cough
- Weakness
In most people, progressive weakness leads to a dry cough and pneumonia. Tularemia-induced pneumonia can cause chest pain, bloody sputum (saliva or mucus), and trouble breathing. Depending on how you were exposed to the bacteria, other symptoms may include
- A red spot on the skin that enlarges to an ulcer
- Ulcers in the mouth
- Swollen and painful lymph glands
- Swollen and painful eyes
- Sore throat
The inhalation form of tularemia begins 3 to 5 days after you have been exposed to the bacteria. In some cases, pneumonia develops after several days or weeks. If left untreated, the disease could lead to respiratory failure.