Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Research Paper

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a tick born potentially fatal disease. It is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia Rickettsii. The CDC has record counts of RMSF since as early as the 1920’s in the US. Most of the cases of RMSF are reported in North and South America. Although it is most common in the Southeastern US, it has also been found in Canada, Mexico, and Central America. Early treatment with the antibiotics Doxycycline and Tetracycline is the key in preventing a fatal outcome. Treatment is most effective if started with five days of onset of symptoms. Early symptoms include high fever and rash. The rash will appear as small, flat, pink and non-itchy spots between two to five days after symptoms have begun and about 90% will develop this. The rash first appears on the wrist and the ankles then spreads in either directions up or down the legs and arms. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain that mimics appendicitis, deep muscle pain, lack of appetite, or red eyes.

RMSF is transmitted to humans by a bite of a tick infected with the disease. When an infected tick bites and attaches itself to a human host for at least six to ten hours, transmission of the bacteria may occur. Destroying a tick with your fingers may also transmit the bacteria. Only 1 in 1000 dog ticks and wood ticks carry

Highest incident for infection is between the ages sixty to sixty-four. RMSF is more common with those individuals who live near wooded areas, high grass areas, and are exposed to dogs that are frequently within those areas. Wearing long pants and sleeves, checking yourself and your animals for ticks, using insect repellants, keeping your grass cut, clearing brush and leaves from your property, and removing attached ticks with tweezers instead of fingers can all be useful ways to reduce the transmission of the