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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

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(RMSF)

Definition

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a severe disease that affects your blood vessels. It is potentially fatal.

The disease is spread by ticks in North, Central, and South America.

Causes

RMSF is caused by a specific bacteria. This bacteria is carried by the American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick. It passes to humans when an infected tick bites the skin. The bacteria can then pass into the bloodstream.

The bacteria sits in the lining of small blood vessels and multiplies. The growth of the bacteria causes irritation and swelling in the blood vessels. Blood and other fluids can then leak out of the blood vessels into the surrounding tissue.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your chance of RMSF include:

Being outdoors in areas known to have RMSF especially from April to September
Exposure to tick-infested areas such as long grass, weeds or low brush
Exposure to dogs
Not using preventative steps (listed below)

Symptoms

The first symptoms of RMSF often occur within 2-14 days after a tick bite and may include:

Fever
Rash
Nausea
Vomiting
Muscle pain
Lack of appetite
Headache
Red eyes

Most but not all people with RMSF develop a rash. The rash begins as small, flat pink spots but can later progress to red-purple pots. The rash most often starts on the wrists, forearms and ankles.

If left untreated, RMSF can cause severe problems to organs or skin near the leaky blood vessels. Symptoms will depend on what organs are involved.

Immune System Including Spleen and Lymph Nodes

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. RMSF can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to many other diseases. Many people do not realize they have been bitten by a tick which can also make the diagnosis more difficult.

A blood test may be done to confirm the diagnosis if your doctor suspects RMSF.

Treatment

Treatment may be started before a clear diagnosis is made based on your risk and fever.

RMSF is treated with antibiotics. It is important to start this treatment early. Make sure to take all of your medication as recommended. Do not stop taking the medication once you feel better, unless your doctor says it is safe to do so.

Prevention

The best way to prevent RMSF is to limit your exposure to ticks. If you live in an area that is prone to ticks, take the following precautions:

Wear light-colored clothing. This makes ticks are more visible.
Tuck pant legs inside socks. This stops ticks from crawling up under your pants.
Apply insect repellents containing DEET (applied to exposed skin). Apply permethrin to clothing.
- For young children, DEET should be avoided or used sparingly. Carefully follow the directions on the label.
Carefully check your entire body for ticks after returning from outdoor areas.
Check pets for ticks.

RESOURCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/

National Library of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Family Physician http://www.cfpc.ca/

Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/

References

Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/rmsf/symptoms/index.html#considerations. Updated April 30, 2012. Accessed May 21, 2013.

Rocky mountain spotted fever. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated April 10, 2013. Accessed May 21, 2013.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Michael K. Mansour, MD, PhD
Review Date: 05/2013 -
Update Date: 05/20/2013 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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