Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread by the bite of an infected tick. Most people who become ill with RMSF will have a fever, headache, and rash. If not treated early with the right antibiotics, RMSF can be fatal. Without prompt treatment, RMSF can seriously damage internal organs, such as your kidneys and heart.
Although it was first identified in the Rocky Mountains, RMSF is most commonly found in the southeastern United States. It is also found in parts of Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Early signs and symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever may include a severe headache and high fever. After a few days, a rash usually appears on the wrists and ankles. RMSF responds well to immediate treatment with antibiotics.
RMSF is an illness caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii (R. rickettsii). It is spread by tick bites. Symptoms begin like many other illnesses, including headache, fever, and rash. But RMSF can be fatal if not treated promptly. RMSF falls under the category of diseases known as Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis (SFR).
Is Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the same as Lyme disease?
Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease are both infections you get from a tick bite, but they are different diseases. Lyme disease is caused by different bacteria than RMSF and has different symptoms. You cannot get Lyme disease from RMSF.
Transmission
RMSF is transmitted, or spread, by the bite of a tick that is infected with a bacteria called Rickettsia rickettsii. Although RMSF is caused by bacteria, you can become infected with the bacteria just from a tick bite.
There are many different types of ticks. Types of RMSF that can be vectors or carriers include:
- American dog tick (Dermacentor variants)
- Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor Anderson)
- Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
Ticks are small arachnids that feed on blood. Once a tick bites you, it can slowly bleed for several days. The longer the tick stays on your skin, the more likely it is to develop an RMSF infection. Ticks are very small insects – some as small as a pinhead – so you may never see a tick on your body after you’ve been bitten.
RMSF is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person. However, your pet dog is also susceptible to RMSF. While you cannot get RMSF from your dog, if your dog has an infected tick on its body, the tick can be transferred to you when you are handling your pet.
Symptoms
Although many people become ill within the first week after infection, signs and symptoms may not appear until 14 days. The early signs and symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever are often nonspecific and can mimic other illnesses:
- high fever
- It’s getting cold.
- Severe headache
- Muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion or other neurological changes
Rash is distinctive
The red, non-itchy rash associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever usually appears three to five days after the initial signs and symptoms begin. The rash usually first appears on your wrists and ankles and can spread in both directions—down to the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet, and up your arms and legs to your torso. Some people who get Rocky Mountain spotted fever never develop a rash, making diagnosis more difficult.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you develop an itch or become ill after a tick bite. RMSF and other tick-borne diseases can progress quickly and be fatal. If available, take the tick with you to your doctor’s office for laboratory identification.
Causes of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by an infection with the organism Rickettsia rickettsii. The most common source of infection is ticks with R. rickettsii. But If an infected tick attaches itself to your skin and feeds on your blood for six to 10 hours, you can pick up an infection. But you may never see a tick on you. RMSF mainly occurs when ticks are more active and during warm weather when people spend more time outdoors.
Risk factors of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Factors that may increase your risk of developing Rocky Mountain spotted fever include:
- Living in an area where the disease is common.
- Time of year – Spring and early summer infections are more common
- How much time do you spend in grassy or wooded areas?
- Whether you own a dog or spend time with dogs.
If an infected tick gets on your skin, you can get Rocky Mountain spotted fever when you remove it, because fluid from the tick can enter your body through an opening, such as a bite. Is.
So, you can reduce your risk of infection by taking measures to prevent exposure to ticks and tick fluids. While removing ticks from your skin:
- Use tweezers to grab the tick near its head or mouth and carefully remove it.
- Treat the tick as if it were infected. Soak it in rubbing alcohol or flush it in the toilet.
- Clean the bite site with an antiseptic.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
Complications
Rocky Mountain spotted fever damages the lining of your smallest blood vessels, causing the arteries to leak or clot. This can cause:
- Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). In addition to severe headaches, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can cause brain inflammation, which can cause confusion, seizures, and delirium.
- Inflammation of the heart or lungs. RMSF can cause inflammation in the heart and lung areas. It can lead to heart failure or lung failure in severe cases.
- Kidney damage. Your kidneys filter waste from your blood, and the blood vessels inside the kidneys are very small and delicate. Damage to these vessels can lead to kidney failure.
- Serious infection, possibly amputation. Some of your smaller blood vessels are in your fingers and toes. If these vessels don’t work properly, your most distant tissues can develop gangrene and die. A deduction will then be necessary.
- Death. Untreated, RMSF has historically had a mortality rate of up to 80 percent.
Prevention
You can reduce your chances of contracting Rocky Mountain spotted fever by taking some simple precautions:
- Wear long pants and sleeves. When walking in woods or grassy areas, wear shoes, long pants tucked into socks, and long-sleeved shirts. Try to stick to the trails and avoid going through low bushes and tall grass.
- Use pesticides. Products containing DEET (Off! Deep Woods, Repellent) often repel ticks. Clothing with permethrin dyed into the fabric is toxic to ticks and can also help reduce tick contact when outdoors.
- Do your best to tick-proof your yard. Clean brush and leaves where ticks live. Place wood piles in sunny areas.
- Check yourself and your pets for ticks. Do this after being in a forest or grassy area. Some ticks are no bigger than a pinhead, so you may not discover them unless you are very careful.
- Remove a tick with tweezers. Gently hold the tick near its head or mouth. Do not squeeze or crush the tick, but carefully and firmly pull it. Once you’ve removed the entire tick, wash the bite area with alcohol or soap and water.
Soak the tick in the alcohol or flush it down the toilet. Wash your hands thoroughly to ensure that any infected tick fluid is completely removed.
Although there are many effective ways to help remove ticks, such as petroleum jelly, rubbing alcohol, or even applying a warm match to the tick’s body, there is no surefire way to remove a tick.
Diagnosis
Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be difficult to diagnose because the initial signs and symptoms are similar to many other illnesses. So laboratory tests can examine blood samples, scab samples, or the tick itself for evidence of the organism causing the infection. Because early treatment with antibiotics is so important, doctors do not wait for these test results before starting treatment if Rocky Mountain spotted fever is strongly suspected.
Treatment of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
People who get Rocky Mountain spotted fever are more likely to avoid complications if treated within five days of symptoms appearing. Therefore, your doctor will likely ask you to start antibiotic therapy before getting the final test results.
Doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin, others) is the most effective treatment for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, but it is not a good choice if you are pregnant. In this case, your doctor may prescribe chloramphenicol as an alternative.