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Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), is the most severe rickettsiosis in the United States. RMSF is a rapidly progressive disease and without early administration of doxycycline can be fatal within days. Signs and symptoms may change as the illness progresses.
- How Common Is RMSF?
- Where Is RMSF Most Commonly Found?
- What Time of Year Is RMSF Most Commonly Reported?
- What Is The Fatality Rate of RMSF?
Around 2,000 cases of RMSF are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source(CDC) each year. People who live close to wooded or grassy areas and people who are in frequent contact with dogs have a higher risk of infection.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever got its name because it was first seen in the Rocky Mountains. However, RMSF is more frequently found in the southeastern part of the United States, as well as parts of: 1. Canada 2. Mexico 3. Central America 4. South America In the United States, 5 statesTrusted Sourcesee over 60 percent of RMSF infections: 1. North Ca...
The infection can occur at any time of the year, but is more common during the warm weather months, when ticks are more active and people tend to spend more time outside. Most casesTrusted Sourceof RMSF occur during May, June, July, and August.
RMSF can be fatal. However, in the United States overall, less than 1 percentTrusted Source of people infected with RMSF will die from the infection. Most fatalities occur in the very old or very young, and in cases where treatment was delayed. According to the CDC, children under 10 years of age are 5 timesTrusted Sourcemore likely to die from RMS...
People also ask
What are the symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF)?
Does Rocky Mountain spotted fever have a petechial rash?
What are the signs and symptoms of spotted fever?
Mar 25, 2024 · Though many symptoms are the same, the rashes look different. The spotted RMSF rash usually starts on wrists, ankles, palms, and soles and then spreads to arms, legs, and trunk. Lyme disease typically presents with a bull's-eye rash at the site of the tick bite.
- Ann Pietrangelo
Health Library / Diseases & Conditions / Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a serious illness you get from a tick bite. It’s caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. Symptoms include a high fever and headache. Rash may start three or more days after other symptoms.
Lone star tick. Who is at risk for Rocky Mountain spotted fever? People living in or visiting areas where ticks are common, especially the southeastern and south central U.S., are at risk for RMSF. But the illness can also be passed on from ticks in the Northeast, Pacific coast, and other areas.
Signs and symptoms. Spotted fever can be very difficult to diagnose in its early stages, due to the similarity of symptoms with many different diseases. [11] People infected with R. rickettsii usually notice symptoms following an incubation period of one to two weeks after a tick bite.
