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Two Orange County residents infected with virus causing ‘sloth fever’
What is sloth fever?
Sloth fever is a viral infection with symptoms similar to the flu. A bite of an infected sandfly transmits the disease. Sloth fever is also known as bartonellosis, Carrión's disease, and Oroya fever.
What are the symptoms of sloth fever?
Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, sloth fever can also cause anemia, jaundice, and organ failure.
How is sloth fever treated?
Sloth fever is treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or ciprofloxacin. Treatment usually lasts for 10 to 14 days.
How can I prevent sloth fever?
There is no vaccine to prevent sloth fever, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of infection. These include:
- Wearing insect repellent when outdoors
- Wearing long sleeves and pants when possible
- Staying in air-conditioned areas
- Using mosquito nets when sleeping
What is the prognosis for sloth fever?
With early diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for sloth fever is good. However, if the disease is not treated, it can be fatal.
Additional resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Bartonellosis
- Mayo Clinic: Bartonellosis
- National Institutes of Health: Bartonella Infection (Bartonellosis)