Rocky Mountain spotted fever
(Redirected from Rmsf)
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever[edit | edit source]
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. It is most commonly reported in the United States, particularly in the southeastern and south-central regions, including the Rocky Mountain area.
Transmission and Epidemiology[edit | edit source]
RMSF is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, such as the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), and the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). The disease has a peak incidence in the spring and early summer.
Clinical Features[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of RMSF typically begin 2-14 days after a tick bite and include:
- High fever.
- Severe headache.
- Rash (often starting on the wrists and ankles and then spreading).
- Abdominal pain.
- Vomiting and nausea.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of RMSF is based on clinical signs and symptoms, history of tick exposure, and can be confirmed through specialized laboratory tests, including serology and PCR.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Early treatment is crucial and typically involves the administration of the antibiotic Doxycycline. Delay in treatment can lead to severe complications and even death.
Prevention and Control[edit | edit source]
Preventive measures include:
- Avoiding tick-infested areas.
- Using insect repellents.
- Wearing protective clothing.
- Regularly checking for and properly removing ticks.
Complications[edit | edit source]
If left untreated, RMSF can lead to serious complications like:
- Damage to the blood vessels resulting in clotting and bleeding.
- Organ failure.
- Death, in severe cases.
Public Health and Awareness[edit | edit source]
RMSF is a reportable disease in many regions, and public health initiatives focus on awareness, tick control, and prompt treatment strategies.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
| Rocky Mountain spotted fever Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen
