Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever, so named for the region it was first identified, is caused by the an infection by the organism rickettsia rickettsii, a bacterium which is transmitted to humans when an infected tick attaches to skin and feeds on blood.
Ticks most often lodge themselves in hair, near ankles or around the genitals. Once a tick bites, it causes a small, hard, itchy lump that is surrounded by a red ring. The chances of acquiring an infection increases the longer an infected tick remains attached to the skin.
The rickettsia rickettsii bacterium circulates in the fluids of a tick’s body. If you squeeze or crush a tick as you remove it, infection can occur if the fluid comes in contact with broken skin or if you touch your eyes after coming into contact with an infected tick.The infection will then spread through the bloodstream to other areas of the body.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever cannot spread from person to person contact and is usually mild if it is treated quickly. In a small number of cases especially in older adults, the disease can be fatal.
At first, symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever mimic those of other illnesses:
- High fever 102 F (38.9 C) or greater
- Chills
- Severe headache
- Photophobia (Sensitivity to light)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
Later on, the following symptoms can develop
- General aches and pains
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Delirium
Three to five days after infection, a number of persons infected with Rocky Mountain spotted fever develop a blotchy red rash on their wrists and ankles that spreads to the palms and the soles. The rash can continue to extend up to the arms and legs then on to the torso. In some instances no rash will appear, this does not indicate that the illness will be any less severe. The rash is also harder to identify in persons with darkly pigmented skin.
Treatment for Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the antibiotic tetracycline (Achromycin). Patients are treated for at least 3 days after the fever subsides and until there is clear improvement. The standard length of treatment is 5 to 10 days.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever primarily occurs when ticks are most active and during warm weather when people tend to spend more time outdoors (late spring and early summer). Extra care should be taken to prevent tick bites:
- Wear light-colored clothing which allows you to see ticks and other insects that may attach themselves to your clothing.
- Tuck pant legs into sock when walking through low bushes
- Use insect repellants on skin, boots and clothing
- Conduct a body check upon return from areas where there may be ticks
- Check children and pets for ticks after being in potentially tick infested areas