Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - Symptoms & Treatment

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an acute infectious disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick. Rickettsia replicate intracellularly and after an average of 1 week (range 3-12 d), the patient develops clinical manifestations of infection. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is spread by the American dog tick, the lone-star tick, and the wood tick, all of which like to live in wooded areas and tall, grassy fields. Illness is characterized by increased vascular permeability with a subsequent host mononuclear cell response. Systemic increase in vascular permeability leads to edema, hypovolemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Rickettsia enter the skin and spread via lymphatics to the bloodstream and attach to their target cells, vascular endothelial cells. The disease is most common in the spring and summer when these ticks are active, but it can occur anytime during the year when the weather is warm. People get this disease when they are bitten by a tick that is carrying the bacterium R. rickettsia.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever remains a serious and potentially life-threatening infectious disease today. Symptoms of RMSF usually begin suddenly. There is a high fever - often 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) - with chills, muscle aches, and a severe headache. Eyes may become red, muscles may be tender to the touch, and there may be abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting , poor appetite, and fatigue. Despite the availability of effective treatment and advances in medical care, approximately 3% to 5% of individuals who become ill with Rocky Mountain spotted fever still die from the infection. A few days after the fever begins, people who have Rocky Mountain spotted fever often have a rash, usually on their arms or ankles.

Causes of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Common causes of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

• Bacteria(Rickettsia rickettsii).
• D-variabilis(dog tick).
• D andersoni (wood tick).
• Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
• Arizona Amblyomma cajennense.

Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Common Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

• High fever.
• Headache.
• Deep muscle pain.
• Chills.
• Rash.
• Abdominal pain.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Poor appetite.
• Fatigue.
• Excessive thirst.
• Maculopapular rash.

Treatment of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Common Treatment of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

• Intravenous hydration if hypotension or prerenal azotemia is present
• Supplemental oxygen and endotracheal (ET) intubation for airway protection and ventilatory support, as indicated
• Packed red blood cells (pRBCs) for anemia or severe life-threatening GI bleeding
• Platelet transfusion for severe thrombocytopenia with active bleeding
• Hemodialysis for oliguric or anuric acute tubular necrosis
• Pulmonary artery catheter placement for judicious fluid replacement in patients with hypovolemia and ARDS.
• Remove ticks immediately by using a tweezers, pulling carefully and steadily. Insect repellent may be helpful.
• Wash that area of your skin thoroughly and apply antiseptic to the bite area after the tick has been removed.

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