County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Acute Communicable Disease Control
313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 212
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 240-7941
Fax: (213) 482-4856
E-Mail:acdc2@ph.lacounty.gov
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Acute Communicable Disease Control
Relapsing Fever
This is a multisystem disease caused by the spirochetes Borrelia (B.) hermsii, B. turicatae, and B.
parkeri. The disease occurs primarily in the western U.S. The pathogen is transmitted by soft ticks,
which feed mainly at night and can transmit spirochetes within minutes.
Signs/Symptoms: Repeating bouts of fever and chills, headache, muscle and joint pain lasting
2-9 days, alternating with days of no fever. Blood tests detect the bacterium during fever
episodes.
This is a multisystem disease caused by the spirochetes Borrelia (B.) hermsii, B. turicatae, and B.
parkeri. The disease occurs primarily in the western U.S. The pathogen is transmitted by soft ticks,
which feed mainly at night and can transmit spirochetes within minutes.