Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
(tick-borne typhus fever)

What is rocky mountain spotted fever?
Rocky mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria. In the eastern United States, children are infected most often, as compared to the western United States, where adult males get the disease more often. Ninety percent of the rickettsial diseases that occur annually in the mainland United States are RMSF. Ninety five percent of those reported cases occur during the months of April through September. RMSF is not present in Hawaii.

How do you get it?
RMSF is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. Ticks may become infected by feeding on infected mammals, (including dogs, rodents, and other small animals) that harbor the rickettsiae. Contamination of the skin with crushed tissues or feces from infected ticks may also result in infection. There is no person-to-person spread of RMSF.

What are the symptoms of RMSF?
The symptoms of RMSF include sudden onset of fever (that can last for 2 or 3 weeks), severe headache, fatigue, red, swollen eyes, deep muscle pain, and chills. In 2 to 6 days, a rashtypically starts on the wrists and ankles but quickly spreads to the rest of the body.

When do symptoms start?
Symptoms commonly start 7 days following the bite of an infected tick, but the onset can range from 3 to 14 days.

What is the treatment for RMSF?
A doctor can prescribe antibiotics to treat the disease. Early treatment increases the chances for a successful cure. If you become ill following a recent tick bite, call a doctor promptly.
If you get RMSF once, can you get it again?
No. Immunity to reinfection after recovery from RMSF appears to be complete. Thus, having the disease once protects you from getting it again.

How do you remove an attached tick?
To remove a tick attached to the body, use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward and out with firm and steady pressure. If tweezers are not available, use rubber gloves or wrap the fingers in tissue paper. Do not handle the tick with the bare hands. Be careful not to squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick. After removing the tick, wash the affected area and hands with soap and water. It is very important to remove the tick promptly after discovery. Do not attempt to remove ticks by using petroleum jelly, lit cigarettes, or other home remedies; this may increase the chances of getting an infection.

How do you keep from getting RMSF?
The best way to prevent RMSF is to avoid unnecessary exposure to ticks. However, when you cannot avoid tick-infested areas, check the body and clothing frequently for attached ticks.

When outdoors in tick infested areas, use tick repellent on the legs and on clothes to help repel ticks.

Control tick infestation along trails and around the home by spraying tick insecticides. Also, cut the grass in the yard to help reduce the number of ticks around the home.