Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Prevention

Rocky Mountain spotted fever results from rickettsia rickettsii, a bacteria delivered by the bites of ticks. RMSF is one of the most renowned and deadliest of all tick-borne illnesses; up to 25 percent of all cases are fatal if left untreated, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. While there are a few well-known signs of the disease, it is still rather difficult to diagnose. Treatment consists of taking care of the symptoms and staying comfortable during the illness.

Signs of the Illness

• Signs and symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever occur a few days to a couple of weeks after the initial tick bite. This interim is called the "incubation period" of the illness. There will be a steady increase in the severity of the symptoms until they peak and then eventually taper. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and aches, and lack of appetite. These nondescript signs are also indicative of hundreds of other maladies, including gastrointestinal disorders. Later, a spotted rash will develop; this is usually when a diagnosis is made.

Prevention While Outside

• To prevent Rocky Mountain spotted fever you must keep ticks from attaching themselves to your body. The easiest way to do this is to stay away from tick-infested areas such as tall grasses and meadows or heavily wooded areas. Despite the name, more than half of the cases occur in the South-Atlantic region of the United States (Delaware, Maryland, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. If you are going to be outdoors, wear long sleeves, long pants (preferably tucked into your socks or shoes) and light-colored clothing (so that you can more easily detect the ticks and remove them before they can bite). Spray yourself with a DEET insect repellent. DEET can repel ticks better than other bug-spray compositions. Make sure you wash properly afterward to remove the chemicals from your skin.

Prevention When Back Indoors

• Once back inside, carefully check yourself for ticks. Look everywhere on your body. Using a mirror, check your back, scalp and between your toes and fingers. The first places that ticks usually show up are on arms and legs, so check those thoroughly. If you find a tick, remove it. Don't use matches or other folkloric methods of tick removal. Instead, grasp the mouth area with tweezers and gently pull. Save the tick for identification.