Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions. Links to other sites are provided for information only - they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. RMSF is one of the deadliest tickborne diseases in. Tick-borne diseases in the United States include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, babesiosis, Colorado tick fever, and relapsing fever. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease caused by the bacterium, Rickettsia rickettsii. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy editorial process and privacy policy. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. Not all people will remember getting a tick bite.Ī.D.A.M., Inc. Bacteria can also infect people who crush ticks they have removed from pets with their bare fingers. Only about 1 in 1,000 wood and dog ticks carry the bacteria. The bacteria are unlikely to be transmitted to a person by a tick that has been attached for less than 20 hours. Risk factors include recent hiking or exposure to ticks in an area where the disease is known to occur. Most cases occur in the spring and summer and are found in children. States include North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Other ticks spread the infection in the southern US and in Central and South America.Ĭontrary to the name "Rocky Mountain," most recent cases have been reported in the eastern US. In the eastern US, they are carried by the dog tick. In the western United States, the bacteria are carried by the wood tick. The bacteria is spread to humans through a tick bite.
Because less than one percent of tick bites transmit this bacteria, antibiotics are not generally prescribed unless there are other symptoms present.RMSF is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii (R Rickettsii), which is carried by ticks. You can place the tick in a jar or plastic bag and take it to your dermatologist for examination. Clean the bite wound with disinfectant and monitor the bite mark for other symptoms. Pull firmly and steadily away from the skin until the tick disengages. Grab the tick by the head or mouthparts as close as possible to where the bite has entered the skin. Use tweezers to disengage the tick from the skin. And don't forget to check your dog for ticks (if applicable). Do a visual check of each member of your family upon returning home. If you spend any time in areas with woods, tall grasses or shrubs, wear long sleeves and pants. The best way to prevent Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is to avoid tick-infested areas. While there are lab tests your doctor can use to diagnose the disease, they take time to complete, so you may be placed on a course of antibiotic treatment right away. The rash is often accompanied by fever, chills, muscle ache, red eyes, light sensitivity, excessive thirst, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and/or fatigue. These symptoms take between one and two weeks to appear following a tick bite. It spreads up the arms and legs to the trunk of the body. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is characterized by a rash that begins as small red spots or blotches on the wrists, ankles, palms or soles of the feet. Lone star ticks, usually on the West coast.Ticks are small spider-like animals that attach to your skin and feed. Wood ticks, usually in the Rocky Mountain states, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an infection you can get from certain kinds of ticks.Dog ticks, usually in the Eastern part of the country,.Symptoms are high fever, severe headache, and rash. Three types of ticks transmit the Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria: Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by ixodid ticks. The difficulty lies in diagnosis because many people are unaware that they've been bitten by a tick. It is relatively rare, but can cause serious damage to the heart, lungs and brain. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks.