Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection that spreads to people through contact with certain ticks.

The illness causes flu-like symptoms and a reddish-purple rash. The illness does not spread from person to person (is not contagious).

When this condition is not treated right away, it can quickly become very serious, and can sometimes lead to long-term (chronic) health problems or even death.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by a type of bacteria (Rickettsia rickettsii) that is carried by American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and Rocky Mountain wood ticks. The infection spreads through:

  • A bite from an infected tick. Tick bites are usually painless, and they frequently are not noticed.
  • Infected tick blood, body fluids, or feces that get into the body through damaged skin, such as a small cut or sore. This could happen while removing a tick from a pet or from another person.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

  • Spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural areas or areas with long grass.
  • Spending time outdoors during warm weather. Ticks are most active during warm weather.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

  • Fever.
  • Muscle aches.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Poor appetite.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • A reddish-purple rash.
    • This usually appears 2-5 days after the first symptoms begin.
    • The rash often starts on the wrists, forearms, and ankles. It may then spread to the palms, the bottom of the feet, legs, and trunk.

Symptoms may develop 2–14 days after a tick bite.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on:

  • Your medical history.
  • A physical exam.
  • Blood tests.
  • Whether you have recently been bitten by a tick or spent time in areas where:
    • Ticks are common.
    • Rocky Mountain spotted fever is common.

How is this treated?

This condition is treated with antibiotic medicines. It is important to begin treatment right away. In some cases, your health care provider may begin treatment before the diagnosis is confirmed. If your symptoms are severe, you may need to be treated in the hospital where you can get antibiotics and be monitored during treatment.

Follow these instructions at home:

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Take your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • Rest as much as possible until you feel better. Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have a rash that gets increasingly red or swollen.
  • You have fluid draining from any areas of your rash.

Get help right away if:

  • You develop a fever after being bitten by a tick.
  • You develop a rash 2–5 days after experiencing flu-like symptoms.
  • You have chest pain.
  • You have shortness of breath.
  • You have a severe headache.
  • You have jerky movements you cannot control (seizure).
  • You have severe abdominal pain.
  • You feel confused.
  • You bruise easily.
  • You have bleeding from your gums.
  • You have blood in your stool (feces).
  • You have trouble controlling when you urinate or have bowel movements (incontinence).
  • You have vision problems.
  • You have numbness or tingling in your arms or legs.

Summary

  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection that spreads to people through contact with certain ticks.
  • When this condition is not treated right away, it can quickly become very serious, and can sometimes lead to long-term (chronic) health problems or even death.
  • You are more likely to develop this infection if you spend time outdoors in warm weather and in areas with tall grass.
  • Symptoms of this condition include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle aches, and a reddish-purple rash that usually appears 2-5 days after a fever.
  • This condition is treated with antibiotic medicines.
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