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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii.  

RMSFSymptoms include fever, headaches, myalgia; characteristic spotted rash* begins on wrists, ankles, palms, and soles, and may be absent early in the disease. Treatment is usually doxycycline. *RMSF rash photo courtesy of Ed Masters, MD. 
 
Humans and pets may contract RMSF.   RMSF maybe life threatening. Need to get early appropriate treatment.

Ticks that transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever include Dermacentor variabilis (American dog),  Dermacentor andersoni (wood tick), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog), and possibly Amblyomma americanum (lone star).

 

See: A 5-Year-Old Gone Too Soon from Untreated Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
(from Department of Defense – CDMRP)

Also see: American Dog Ticks, Bears, & RMSF

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