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Jul 12, 2018 · A Wisconsin woman has died of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in what Wisconsin health officials have confirmed is the first documented death from the infection in the state. "Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an uncommon but very serious tick-borne illness that can lead to death if untreated," says Dr. Bobbi Pritt, a parasitic diseases expert at Mayo Clinic. It […]
Mar 25, 2024 · Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial illness caused by a bite from an infected tick. Symptoms include high fever and widespread rash. In the United States, there are 4,000–6,000 reports of tick-borne spotted fevers, including RMSF, each year. It's the deadliest tick-borne illness in the world.
- Ann Pietrangelo
- Overview
- How to spot Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- How to treat Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- How to protect yourself
- Takeaway
•The CDC has published a warning related to a condition called Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
•The condition, which is transferred to humans via specific tick breeds, has caused multiple hospitalizations and deaths.
•All of the cases reported stem from travel to areas of Mexico.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a warning due to the rise of a condition called Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The disease has been linked to five hospitalizations and three deaths since July. All of the cases originate from the Baja California region of Mexico, where it is endemic.
Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that the warning was a surprise to him.
“I was stunned when I saw that report… from the CDC that they had five cases acquired in Mexico, seen in the United States, and three died. That’s an incredible fatality rate, which means that the infection wasn’t thought of right away,” Schaffner said.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever gets its name from a rash that can be associated with the condition.
The bacterial disease is transferred via ticks. It has been found not just in Rocky Mountain states but the Eastern, Central, and Western U.S., where it is transferred via the American dog tick. In the southwestern U.S. it is primarily transferred via the brown dog tick.
Early symptoms (first 1–4 days) of Rocky Moutain spotted fever include the following:
•Fever
•Loss of appetite
•Headache
The disease can be treated with the common antibiotic doxycycline.
Since this condition can progress so quickly and even lead to death within days, Schaffner says medical practitioners need to be alert to the possibility of this infection so that they can get their patients antibiotics quickly.
“You have to initiate your treatment before you have a diagnostic test,” Schaffner said.
The presence of the disease can be confirmed via PCR and serologic tests, a rash biopsy, or through the testing of postmortem tissue. The standard treatment for RMSF is a course of doxycycline, a common antibiotic. This prescription applies to those of all ages, including those who are pregnant.
Gohil says that she said the CDC warning will help alert physicians about the rise of this rare condition.
“I love that the CDC issued this with just a few cases. And those were in [cases of] a very specific travel history. The reason I love it is because, for rare diseases. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you will miss it more,” Gohil said.
Experts say if you’re traveling to areas where the disease is endemic, you should be aware of the risks and take steps to avoid contact with ticks. You can avoid bushy, grassy areas where ticks are more common and treat your clothing with insect deterrents, according to the CDC. Additionally, after being in areas where ticks are common, you can do a tick check on your body to ensure you were not bitten.
If you do get bit by a tick, the CDC recommends using tweezers to pull out the tick.
•Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
•Don’t twist or jerk the tick.
•After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
•Do not crush a tick with your fingers.
The CDC has released a warning due to the rise of a condition called Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The disease has been linked to five hospitalizations and three deaths since July.
Early symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, and stomach pain.
People also ask
Why are there so many Rocky Mountain spotted fever cases?
Is Rocky Mountain spotted fever life threatening?
Did a Wisconsin woman die from Rocky Mountain spotted fever?
Key points. The most common symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) are a fever, headache, and rash. RMSF is spread through the bite of an infected tick. There is no vaccine to prevent RMSF. RMSF can be deadly if not treated early with doxycycline. What it is.
Apr 28, 2017 · However, symptoms may begin as soon as 2 days after infection, or take as long as 14 days to show. Signs of RMSF include: fever. digestive problems, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or lack of ...
Aug 25, 2022 · 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. RMSF can be life-threatening if not treated quickly with antibiotics. RMSF is found in most states in the U.S.
Shaina Farfel with Occupational Health discusses Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a tick-borne disease, with Dr. Karen Bloch, Associate Professor of Medicine and Health Policy and Medical Director for the General Infectious Disease Clinic at Vanderbilt University. She discusses the prevalence of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and how it can be ...
