How to Recognize the Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a serious, tick-borne disease. Often, people think the name means that this bacterial infection (Rickettsia rickettsii) is confined to Colorado. Surprisingly, although Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever was first identified in the Rocky Mountains, the highest number of cases are reported each year in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland. Approximately 1,000 to 2,000 cases are reported each spring and summer in these and other states.If treated early, the disease is usually mild. However, if left untreated, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can cause severe complications such as shock, meningitis, heart failure, brain damage and even death. Obviously, it’s smart to know the symptoms, pay attention if they develop, and seek medical attention right away.

Instructions

• 1

  Make note of any tick bites. When you remove a tick, place it in a closed bottle or jar with some rubbing alcohol. Having the tick handy could be helpful if other symptoms develop.

• 2

  Know that symptoms usually develop within 2 to 14 days after one is infected. At first, it might feel like a case of the flu. Symptoms at this stage could include: headache, nausea, sore throat, loss of appetite.

• 3

  Know that as the disease progresses, chills, fever, red eyes, joint and muscle pain, tenderness of the abdomen, and vomiting often occur.

• 4

  Look for a rash of small red spots or blotches. This usually appears soon after the fever develops. This typically starts on the wrists, ankles, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It soon spreads to other parts of the body. However, the rash might develop in a different pattern. In rare cases, there is no rash at all.