Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Filed under: Infectious Diseases Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne bacterial disease that affects the cells in the lining of your blood vessels, making the vessels leak. This can eventually cause serious damage to internal organs, particularly your kidneys. Although it was first identified in the Rocky Mountains, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is most commonly found in the southeastern part of the United States. It also occurs in parts of Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America. Early signs and symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever include severe headache and high fever. A few days later, a rash usually appears on the wrists and ankles. Rocky Mountain spotted fever responds well to prompt treatment with antibiotics. If left untreated, however, the disease can cause serious complications and even death. Treatments and drugs People who develop Rocky Mountain spotted fever are much more likely to avoid complications if treated within five days of developing symptoms. That's why your doctor will probably have you begin antibiotic therapy before receiving conclusive test results. Doxycycline is the most effective treatment for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but it's not a good choice if you're pregnant. In that case, your doctor may prescribe chloramphenicol as an alternative.

 Can Lyme disease or other related ticks illnesses be fatal? Yes, RMSF can kill you in weeks. Lyme disease can kill a patient by affecting different organs and some patients become so depressed that suicide is the only option for them just to escape the suffering. Erricolisous can be fatal if left untreated. Another view is that tick borne diseases are evolving as the environment changes and new vectors and hosts are being discovered that were not considered 10 years ago. The diseases associated with ticks may be changing with the environment and thus produce new vectors, symptoms and challenges to the patient. The CDC says STARI is "mild" but the Dr. who discovered it now says otherwise.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Ticks Make You Sick?
From Heather Brannon, MD, former About.com Guide Updated June 29, 2008 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a potentially fatal disease that occurs most often in Oklahoma and the South Atlantic states, although it has been found in most states. It is caused by an infection with the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. The bacteria is transmitted to humans by three different types of ticks:

Eastern United States - Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) West South Central States - Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick) Western States - Dermacentor andersoni (wood tick)

Basic Facts After an infected tick bites a human, the bacteria are released into the bloodstream. There they attack cells that line the blood vessels and smooth muscles that control the constriction of the blood vessel. They set off an immune reaction in the blood vessel causing the vessel to swell and become leaky. This process can occur in any organ system in the body causing a wide variety of symptoms. Symptoms The incubation period is 2 to 14 days after the tick bite. The average incubation period is 7 days. The most common symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever are the abrupt onset of fever, severe headache, muscle aches, and vomiting. Other symptoms that are less common are abdominal pain, swollen lymph nodes, cough, stiff neck, confusion, and coma.

What the Rash Looks Like The rash associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever usually starts around 4 days into the illness. It looks like small, red, flat spots starting most often on the ankles and wrists, and then moving to the palms, soles, and trunk. As the rash progresses, it becomes bumpier. Approximately 10% of those infected never get a rash. Photos

On the hand On the face On the arm On the foot

How Serious is It? Overall, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is fatal in 3% to 7% of cases. However, it is fatal in over 30% of those who are not treated. The mortality is higher in people over 40 years of age. Death usually results from shock and kidney failure. How It's Diagnosed Rocky Mountain spotted fever is diagnosed mainly based on symptoms. There are no reliable laboratory tests to diagnose Rocky Mountain spotted fever while the patient has the disease. Most laboratory tests that are specific for the bacteria involve obtaining one blood test while the patient is sick and another in 4 weeks to see if the immune system has built up antibodies to the bacteria. Obviously, waiting for this second test to return before making a diagnosis is fruitless and only useful in retrospect. Other lab tests that may indicate Rocky Mountain spotted fever are a low white blood cell count, low platelet count, or elevated liver function tests. The rash is usually the key to diagnosis since not many rashes affect the palms and soles. Treatment Rocky Mountain spotted fever is treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline, tetracycline, or chloramphenicol. Most providers will prescribe one of these antibiotics on the assumption that the disease is Rocky Mountain spotted fever and confirm the diagnosis with another blood test in 4 weeks. Pregnant women should not take doxycycline or tetracycline. Since chloramphenicol is available in the US only in IV form, pregnant women should be admitted to the hospital. Prevention Preventing Rocky Mountain spotted fever involves preventing tick bites. Children and adults who are outside in tick-infested areas should wear long clothing and tuck the end of the pants into the socks. Insect repellant should be applied to shoes and socks. Permethrin products are more effective against ticks than DEET products. Check for ticks attached to the skin every 2-3 hours while outside, then check thoroughly once a day. Favorite hiding places for ticks are in the hair so check the scalp, neck, armpits, and groin.

How to Recognize Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Symptoms

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii and is transmitted to humans via the bite of infected ticks. The types of ticks that most commonly carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever are the Rocky Mountain wood tick and the American dog tick. Within the U.S., the locations in which this disease is found most frequently are on the southeast coast of the Atlantic Ocean and Oklahoma. Despite the name, the illness is not commonly found in the Rockies. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a serious illness frequently requiring hospitalization; if you spend time outdoors in areas in which it is common, you should know how to recognize its symptoms.

Steps
1. 1 Track the time since being bitten. If you know that you have been bitten by a tick, note when the the bite occurred. Initial symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever usually appear between 5 and 10 days after you have been bitten by a tick.

2 Look for the early symptoms. Early symptoms may be similar to the flu and can include:

Headache Muscle pain Loss of appetite Nausea Fever Vomiting

3 Be aware of later symptoms. If Rocky Mountain spotted fever progresses, the following symptoms are common:

Rash Diarrhea Pain in the abdomen Painful joints

4 Seek treatment if you notice any of the above symptoms, especially following a tick bite or after spending time in an area where ticks are common.