Ticks infected with Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever through bites or broken-skin contact. This bacterial infection often occurs in warm weather when ticks are most active.
Initial Symptoms
Initial symptoms include a high fever, severe headache, chills, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sensitivity to light, fatigue and abdominal pain.
Late Symptoms
Late symptoms include a blotchy, red rash that starts on the wrists and ankles and spreads to other parts of your body, diarrhea, delirium, restlessness and widespread pain. In a few cases, a rash never appears.
Time Frame
Initial symptoms can appear within one week or up to 14 days after being bitten. The rash generally develops between two to five days after the fever starts, followed by other late symptoms.
Diagnosis
Gently remove the tick with tweezers, store it in a plastic bag and have your doctor test it for infection. Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and test results.
Treatment
Treatment involves taking antibiotics such as doxycycline until three days after fever and other symptoms subside. Treatment is most successful when started within five days after initial symptoms appear.
Warning
Rocky Mountain spotted fever can enter your bloodstream when left untreated, leading to complications such as brain damage, kidney failure, meningitis, gangrene and shock.
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