Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction

Herxheimer reaction
Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction in a patient with syphilis and HIV infection
Pronunciation
  • English: /ˌjærɪʃ ˈhɛərkshaɪmər/ YARR-ish HAIRKS-hy-mər
SpecialtyInfectious disease

A Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction is a sudden and typically transient reaction that may occur within 24 hours of being administered antibiotics for an infection by a spirochete, including syphilis, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and relapsing fever.[1] Signs and symptoms include fever, chills, shivers, feeling sick, headache, fast heart beat, low blood pressure, breathing fast, flushing of skin, muscle aches, and worsening of skin lesions.[1] It may sometimes be mistaken as an allergy to the antibiotic.[1]

Jarisch–Herxheimer reactions can be life-threatening because they can cause a significant drop in blood pressure and cause acute end-organ injury, eventually leading to multi-organ failure.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d Dhakal, Aayush; Sbar, Evelyn (2023). "Jarisch Herxheimer Reaction". StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
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