Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction: Difference between revisions

 
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==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
[[File:Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in patient (cropped).jpg|thumb|Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction in a person with syphilis.]]
''Occurs 2 to 6 hours after treatment started; symptoms can last for 24 hours''
''Occurs 2 to 6 hours after treatment started; symptoms can last for 24 hours''
*Malaise
*Malaise
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==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
 
*[[Sepsis]]


==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
 
*Typically a clinical diagnosis


==Management==
==Management==
*Reassurance
*[[Acetaminophen]]
*[[Acetaminophen]]


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
 
*Outpatient


==See Also==
==See Also==

Latest revision as of 22:44, 8 September 2020

Background

  • A systemic reaction caused by reaction to endotoxins released by the death of harmful organisms within the body
  • Occurs following antibiotic treatment for a number of spirochetal and bacterial infections (classically described in the treatment of syphilis)
  • Can also occur following treatment of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) or Lyme disease
  • Both penicillin and tetracycline can induce JHR
  • Resembles bacterial sepsis.
  • Tends to occur within two hours of antibiotic administration
    • Lasts for a few hours or up to a day
  • Mortality rate from JHR in louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) in the absence of adequate monitoring and resuscitation measures is ~5%.

Clinical Features

Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction in a person with syphilis.

Occurs 2 to 6 hours after treatment started; symptoms can last for 24 hours

  • Malaise
  • Fever
  • Rigors
  • Flushing (due to vasodilation)
  • Hypotension
  • Tachycardia
    • Tachycardia and hyperventilation are accompanied by hypertension, and then by a drop in blood pressure due to vasodilation and declining peripheral pulse.

Differential Diagnosis

Evaluation

  • Typically a clinical diagnosis

Management

Disposition

  • Outpatient

See Also

References