Diseases and Conditions
Tularemia
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
Complications
Prevention
Diagnosis
Treatment
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Complications
Left untreated, tularemia can be fatal. Other possible complications include:
- Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia). Pneumonia can lead to respiratory failure — a condition in which the lungs don't take in enough oxygen, don't release enough carbon dioxide or both.
- Infection around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Meningitis is a serious and sometimes life-threatening infection of the fluid and membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Irritation around the heart (pericarditis). This is swelling and irritation of the thin membrane that surrounds the heart (pericardium).
- Bone infection (osteomyelitis). Tularemia bacteria sometimes spread to the bones.