Causes and risk factors
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused when an infected tick feeds on your blood for several hours or your skin comes in direct contact with the blood of an infected tick.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Clinical presentation
Symptoms usually begin a few days after the onset of the infection. The patient develops fever with chills, myalgia, headache, nausea and/or vomiting. A distinctive red rash appears first on the wrist and ankles which can then spread all over the torso.
Other symptoms that may be present include restlessness, confusion, insomnia, diarrhea and loss of appetite.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever can give rise to complications like meningitis, encephalitis and failure of the heart, kidneys or lungs.
Diagnosis & Investigations
Rocky Mountain spotted fever must be differentiated from dengue, malaria, Lyme disease, leptospirosis and mediterranean spotted fever.
A complete blood count will elicit leucocytosis or leucopenia. The platelet count will be raised. Skin biopsy may be done at the site of rash. Indirect immunofluorescence assay with R. rickettsii antigen may be performed.
Treatment
All suspected cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever are treated with antibiotics.
Without treatment, the fatality rate of this illness is very high.
With treatment, the prognosis is better.
The following measures can be taken to prevent the incidence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever:
- Do not leave any skin exposed when walking in woody or grassy areas.
- Use insect repellants wherever necessary.
Ensure that your pet remains tick free.
