|
By Diane Griffith, HealthAtoZ writer
It is named after the area where it was first discovered, but Rocky Mountain spotted fever is seen throughout the United States. Until the antibiotic tetracycline was discovered in the 1940s, as many as 30 percent of the people with the infection died from it. Today, the illness is fatal in 3 percent to 5 percent of those infected.
What is Rocky Mountain spotted fever?
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most severe tick-borne disease in the United States. It is caused by a bacterial organism that can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected tick. Almost all cases occur between April and September.
The earliest symptoms are:
- Sudden fever
- Severe headache
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Later symptoms may include:
- Rash
- Abdominal pain
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
The characteristic red, spotted rash is usually seen on the sixth day after symptoms first begin. Between 35 percent and 65 percent of those infected get this rash. It is commonly seen on the palms or soles.
If the disease is severe, it can affect the respiratory, digestive and central nervous systems, as well as the kidneys, and cause long-term health problems.
Treatment
It can be difficult to diagnose Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the early stages. Once it is detected, people are usually hospitalized. Without immediate treatment, it can be fatal.
If Rocky Mountain spotted fever is suspected, antibiotics are started immediately. If you are bitten by a tick and become ill, it's especially important to see a doctor.
Prevention
When in an area that may be infested with ticks, take these measures to protect yourself:
- Wear light-colored clothing. Ticks will be easier to detect.
- Tuck your pant legs into your socks. This will help keep them off your skin.
- Wear an insect repellant that contains DEET. To prevent reactions to DEET, avoid large amounts - especially on children.
- Check yourself for ticks after returning. Use a mirror to view all parts of your body.
- Check your children - especially their hair - for ticks. Also check any clothing that was worn outside.
- Inspect your pets. They can carry ticks into your home.
Tick removal
Covering a tick with petroleum jelly or touching it with a hot match won't make it stop biting. These methods may irritate the tick, causing it to release more saliva into your skin.
To remove a tick:
- Use tweezers (not your hands) to grasp the tick. Get as close as you can to the surface of the skin and pull the tick firmly upward.
- Do not twist or jolt the tick. If you do, parts of the mouth may remain in the skin. If this happens, remove these parts with the tweezers.
- Put disinfectant on the bitten area and wash your hands.
- Put the tick into a zipper lock bag and take it to the doctor if you become sick later.
|
Related Articles
|
|
External Source
|
Return to the previous page
|
