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What is Island Fever?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Island fever, medically known as scrub typhus, is a serious illness passed to humans through tick, mite or chigger bites. The name "Island Fever" most likely came from the fact that most of the infected insects tend to live in sandy areas. Without treatment, which is a course of antibiotics, the mortality rate of Island Fever can reach 30%.

Island fever is somewhat of a misnomer. While people on islands in the Pacific Ocean may be vulnerable, it is also possible to contract scrub typhus on the mainland of many Southeastern Asian countries. It can also be contracted in Northwestern Pacific countries like Pakistan, Australia, or Korea.

Early symptoms of island fever include a very high fever.
Early symptoms of island fever include a very high fever.

Early symptoms of Island fever begin to emerge anywhere from 6-14 days after a bite from an infected insect. Symptoms include an extremely high fever, often between 104-105° F. (40-40.55° C.). Fever tends to be accompanied by a severe headache. Swelling in the lymphnodes is frequently present about a week into the illness. As well, a palpable rash may develop on the trunk of the body by the end of the first week of illness. In rare cases, Island fever may also affect the central nervous system and cause confusion, speech difficulties, or hearing problems.

Though not an island, Korea is an area where island fever can be contracted.
Though not an island, Korea is an area where island fever can be contracted.

Diagnosis of Island fever tends to be made by observing the symptoms, and also through blood test, which will confirm pathogens causing the illness. Since there are several illnesses, called flavoviruses, that are similar to Island fever, diagnosis will rule these out. Once diagnosis is made, treatment is relatively straightforward.

In most cases, Island fever is treated with the antibiotics tetracycline or chloramphenicol. In children however, the use of tetracycline is contraindicated because it causes permanent staining of the teeth. Appropriate treatment for children with Island fever tends to be doxycycline. Ciproflaxacin may be considered for adults or children, but this antibiotic has a high rate of side effects and tends to be used as an antibiotic of last resort.

Island fever is a serious illness passed to humans through tick, mite or chigger bites.
Island fever is a serious illness passed to humans through tick, mite or chigger bites.

Island fever tends to resolve prior to the end of antibiotic treatment, which usually lasts for two weeks. However, feeling better does not mean one should stop taking the antibiotics. Not finishing a course of antibiotics can cause an antibiotic resistant strain of Island fever to reoccur.

In rare cases, patients may need intravenous antibiotics and fluids if the disease has gone untreated. Since the fever is so high, and frequently occurs in very warm climates, dehydration is a particular concern and can complicate the course of Island fever. Resting and drinking lots of fluids can help prevent complications.

Rarely, patients with island fever will need intravenous antibiotics and fluids.
Rarely, patients with island fever will need intravenous antibiotics and fluids.

There is not vaccine for Island fever, but one may cut down one’s risk of contracting it in areas of risk by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Use of insect repellents that contain DEET can also cut down on the risk of a bite. Even with these interventions, it is possible to get Island fever, so there is no single way to completely prevent the illness. Focus for now is on the cure rather than prevention.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Discussion Comments

Amphibious54

@ PelesTears- It seems like such a weird phenomenon that people can become depressed from living in a tropical paradise, but when you explained the change in lifestyle concept, it makes sense. I have been to Hawaii once (Maui), and I always thought it must be the best place on earth to call home. I have never taken into account the isolation, and the expenses of traveling off such a small island. I guess I just got caught up in the romanticized idea of living in paradise. I assume this is how many people end up on the islands, so it’s no wonder people feel a little depressed when the reality of island life sets in.

PelesTears

I have also heard of island fever in reference to homesickness. I used to live in Hawaii, and it was common for transplants form the mainland to catch island fever. Island fever is essentially the point when people realize that island life is slower than life on the mainland, and they are literally stranded on an island in the middle of the pacific.

It almost triggers a sort of depression, and can drive people to the point where they can't deal with island life anymore. Some people move back to the mainland, but for most, the feeling passes and acceptance sets in. This is when island life becomes the norm. Once you become acclimated to island life, you may actually experience culture shock when you try to move back to the mainland.

These are weird experiences, and I have experienced both. I moved from Los Angeles to a tiny town on the big Island, and then back six years later.

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    • Early symptoms of island fever include a very high fever.
      By: MAST
      Early symptoms of island fever include a very high fever.
    • Though not an island, Korea is an area where island fever can be contracted.
      By: lesniewski
      Though not an island, Korea is an area where island fever can be contracted.
    • Island fever is a serious illness passed to humans through tick, mite or chigger bites.
      By: Gucio_55
      Island fever is a serious illness passed to humans through tick, mite or chigger bites.
    • Rarely, patients with island fever will need intravenous antibiotics and fluids.
      By: ShpilbergStudios
      Rarely, patients with island fever will need intravenous antibiotics and fluids.
    • Most cases of Island fever are treated with tetracycline of chloramphenicol.
      By: robert lerich
      Most cases of Island fever are treated with tetracycline of chloramphenicol.