An American dog tick, one of the ticks that spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever. CDC.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread by the bite of an infected tick. It can be deadly if not treated early with doxycycline, and there is no vaccine.
Signs and symptoms
Early symptoms aren't specific to RMSF, but the illness can quickly become serious and life-threatening. They can include:
- fever and headache;
- a rash;
- nausea or vomiting;
- stomach pain;
- muscle pain;
- loss of appetite.
See a healthcare provider if you get sick after a tick bite, or after time in woods or high brush where ticks live.
The rash
A rash is common, usually appearing 2 to 4 days after the fever starts. It varies a lot over the illness — red splotches or pinpoint dots. Because it often shows up late, RMSF is hard to diagnose.
A late-stage rash in a patient with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. CDC.
Lasting damage
RMSF doesn't cause chronic infection, but some survivors of severe illness are left with permanent damage from the acute illness:
- amputation of arms, legs, fingers or toes (from blood-vessel damage);
- hearing loss;
- mental disability.
The ticks that spread it
Cases occur throughout the United States, spread by several tick species:
| Tick | Where |
|---|---|
| American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) | the eastern two-thirds of the country and parts of the West |
| Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) | parts of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico |
| Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) | the Rocky Mountain region |
Estimated range of the American dog tick. CDC.
Estimated range of the Rocky Mountain wood tick. CDC.
Prevention
With no vaccine, prevention means avoiding tick bites — on yourself, on your pets and in your yard. Ticks can bite year-round but are most active in warm months (April–September); learn which ticks live near you.
Diagnosis and treatment
- Testing: blood tests can look for RMSF, but results can take weeks. If your provider thinks you might have RMSF, they should start antibiotics before the results come back.
- Treatment: early doxycycline can prevent death and severe illness. It is the recommended antibiotic and is approved for adults and children of all ages.
Sources
Based on "About Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. A campaign banner with a stock photograph is left out.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from www.cdc.gov
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