Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is caused by an infection with the intracellular Gram-negative bacteria Rickettsia rickettsia organisms. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks, particularly the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and brown dog tick.
- Reservoir hosts: Dogs and rodents
- Vectors: Ticks of genus Dermacentor
- D. Variabilis: American Dog Tick
- D. Anderson: Rocky Mountain wood tick
- It occurs throughout the Western Hemisphere: the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America.
- Potentially fatal
- Spring and Summer months
- Incubation Period: 2- 14 Days
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Clinically Presentation:
Inflammation and injury of endothelial cells of small blood vessels.
- Small hemorrhages and thrombi
- Widespread Vasculitis
Clinically Symptoms:
- Prodrome similar to influenza
- Sudden onset of high fever
- Fever
- Fatigue and headache
- History of tick bite
- There may also be nausea, vomiting, myalgia, and malaise.
- Rash (A characteristic rash that usually starts with small, flat, pink spots on the wrists, and ankles. Which can develop into raised red spots.
- Muscles Aches