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I Recently Returned From South XXXXXXX Where I Was On Safaris After Blood Tests Which Showed Elevated CRP And Liver Function And Low Platelets How Long Should I Expect The Recovery To Be? I

Posted on Wed, 29 Mar 2023

Question: I recently returned from South XXXXXXX where I was on two game safaris. When I got home, I kept not feeling well (fever, chills, headaches - would all come and go - along with a general depressed feeling). My doctor did blood tests which showed elevated CRP and liver function and low platelets. I also have a bite under my arm which appeared about 4 days after I got home. Yesterday my doctor thought that maybe this is "African Tick Bite Fever" and started me on Doxycyline. My question - Does this diagnosis sound correct? How long should I expect the recovery to be? I need to get back to work but so far I have no energy and my brain feels like it's running on half speed. I have had these symptoms for about 6 days now, on the medicine since yesterday.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
read the following

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

First i would say that if you were my patient i would do the same as your doctor .

Ye i fully agree that it might be the fever from the insect bite.The fact that PCR is high is indicative for antibiotic use such as Doxycycline you are taking.
Usually in such cases we do the treatment for 7-10 days. After the blood tests should be repeated to see if they are normalized even though they might need sometime .However the clinical picture of the patient is the first sign if the treatment is working or not.
So i recommend you to wait and give sometime to the organism to recover. If after one week no improvement than the diagnosis should be reevaluated.

Please don't worry so much.

I hope to have been helpful

Regards
Dr.Jolanda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Jolanda (2 hours later)

Thank you for your response. One more question - do you mean I should reevaluate the diagnosis after one week of taking the doxycycline? Or one week from when I first noticed the symptoms?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
continue discussion

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

I mean that after the treatment course you are taking, if your clinical picture will not be improved your doctor will reevaluate the diagnosis.

Regards

Dr.Jolanda

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad