Rickettsia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rickettsia |
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| Rickettsia rickettsii | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Phylum: | |
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Alphaproteobacteria
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| Order: |
Rickettsiales
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| Family: |
Rickettsiaceae
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| Genus: |
Rickettsia
da Rocha-Lima, 1916
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Rickettsia is a special type of tiny living thing, often called a microorganism. It's a bit like a mix between a virus and a bacteria. These organisms are unique because they have a cell wall, just like bacteria. But, like viruses, they can only live and grow inside other living cells. They can't survive on their own.
Even though they need living cells to survive, Rickettsia can be treated with antibiotics, which are medicines used to fight bacterial infections. This is another way they are similar to bacteria.
Contents
What is Rickettsia?
Rickettsia are very small, rod-shaped or sphere-shaped organisms. They are known for causing diseases in humans and animals. These diseases are often spread through bites from insects like ticks, fleas, or lice.
How Rickettsia Spreads
Rickettsia usually live inside insects or other small creatures, which are called "vectors." When these vectors bite a human or an animal, the Rickettsia can enter the new host's body. Once inside, they infect cells and start to multiply.
Common Vectors
- Ticks: Many types of Rickettsia are carried by ticks. When a tick bites, it can pass the bacteria.
- Fleas: Some Rickettsia species are found in fleas. These can spread to humans, often from pets.
- Lice: Body lice can also carry and spread Rickettsia from person to person.
Discovering Rickettsia
Scientists have been studying Rickettsia for a long time to understand how they work and how to treat the diseases they cause.
Growing Rickettsia in the Lab
In the early 1930s, a scientist named Ernest William Goodpasture and his team at Vanderbilt University made an important discovery. They figured out how to grow Rickettsia in chicken embryos. This was a big step because it allowed scientists to study the organisms more closely. Being able to grow them in a lab helped researchers learn how to fight the diseases they cause.
Diseases Caused by Rickettsia
Rickettsia can cause several different diseases in people. These diseases are often called "rickettsial diseases."
Symptoms of Rickettsial Diseases
The symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of Rickettsia and the disease it causes. However, common symptoms often include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Rash (a skin eruption)
Examples of Rickettsial Diseases
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: This is one of the most well-known diseases caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. It is spread by tick bites and can be very serious if not treated quickly.
- Typhus: There are different forms of typhus, like epidemic typhus and murine typhus. These are spread by lice or fleas.
Treating Rickettsial Infections
Because Rickettsia are sensitive to antibiotics, these medicines are the main way to treat rickettsial diseases. Early treatment is very important to prevent serious health problems.
Prevention Tips
To avoid getting a rickettsial disease, it's a good idea to:
- Check yourself for ticks after spending time outdoors.
- Use insect repellent when in areas where ticks or fleas might be.
- Keep pets free of fleas.
- Avoid areas known to have many ticks or lice.
Images for kids
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A microscopic view of Rickettsia rickettsii.
See also
In Spanish: Rickettsia para niños
