Lyme Disease Vs. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Most of the time, tick bites are harmless to people. However, in rare cases, tick bites can cause serious illnesses, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).

Geography

• Most Lyme disease cases are found in the Northern states, including Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York. The majority of RMSF cases occur in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Symptoms

• Lyme disease and RMSF symptoms are similar, as both cause headaches, muscle pain, chills, fever and a skin rash. Lyme disease symptoms may not appear for a week to several months, while RMSF symptoms usually appear within a few days of being bitten.

Effects

• Lyme disease can cause arthritis, nervous system problems and an irregular heart rhythm. Effects from RMSF include joint problems, paralysis and hearing loss.

Treatment

• Both diseases can be treated with antibiotics, but depending on the severity of the complications, a hospital stay may be necessary.

Prevention

• If you plan to go hiking or camping, use a human tick repellent to lessen your chances of being bitten by a tick carrying Lyme disease or RMSF.