What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

The risk of developing Rocky Mountain spotted fever or RMSF is highest during months of spring and summer. It is a very rare disease and has been observed to occur in the southeastern parts of United States.

Cause

RMSF is caused due to the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. The bacterium is transmitted through ticks. These include lone star tick or Amblyomma americanum, dog tick or Dermacentor variabilis and wood tick or Dermacentor andersoni.

The disease has been found to be most common in children.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms do not develop immediately but are visible from second to fourteenth day of the bite. Common symptoms include excess pain in muscles, fever, chills and unbearable headache. Rashes first appear on ankles and wrists. Rashes may not appear in certain cases.

Mental confusion and hallucination may occur. Some patients may develop sensitivity towards light, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Treatment

Treatment of the disease is possible and aims at treating infection. Complications do not arise normally. In rare cases loss of hearing, paralysis and nerve damage may occur. Death is very rare.

Prevention

Keep your pets clean, tick-free. Farm dogs are often found to carry ticks. Use of insecticides twice a year at the residence and in the fenced lawns is a very effective way of keeping ticks away.

Since the infection is caused due to ticks one must avoid areas such as dense woods or fields. If it is necessary to walk through these areas then tuck the pants inside your shoes, leaving no place for the ticks to enter. Wear clothing to cover the body well.

After a day out in the field do body examinations for any ticks present on cloths. Ticks may be hiding behind the ears, inside hair or under the arms. Take bath with an anti-bacterial soap.

If you see any tick, removes it immediately using tweezers. It is a myth that burning the ticks on the skin surface using a match stick or squeezing them will prevent infection. This may increase chance of infection. Use tweezers to pull it out from the skin. It is safe enough.

In case of doubt that certain tick part is remaining inside your body; consult a doctor as soon as possible.