Signs of Rocky mountain spotted fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Description

Caused by the bite of a family of ticks known as Ixodidaeor hard ticks. The tick passes the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii into the blood stream of the infected person causing a febrile illness associated with a rash. The disease can be fatal 20%-30% of the time if untreated. Despite its name the disease is found throughout the United States. Treatment reduces the mortality rate from 20% to 5% and should be started as soon as possible. The disease is most common between April and September and most commonly affects the age groups of 5-9 and 60-69.

Symptoms

Headache, high fever (>102 F), vomiting, abdominal pain, a red blotchy rash that begins on the wrists and ankles and moves inward (centripetal), confusion, diarrhea. The rash usually begins 3-5 days after the infection.

Tests

A history and physical will be performed. The diagnosis is many times suspected by the clinical picture and history of a tick bite. Blood tests confirm the diagnosis.

Standard Workup

CBC
Chem 12
X-Ray

Treatment

Therapy depends on the severity of the illness but may require medications to support the blood pressure as well as mechanical ventilation. Three fourths of the patients require hospitalization. Antibiotics used include: doxycycline (Vibramycin), and chloramphenicol.