We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

By Henry Gaudet
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,243
Share

The symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever come in two stages. Initial symptoms such as headache, high fever, chills, fatigue, headache and nausea are fairly generic, and the disease can easily be misdiagnosed. Symptoms such as diarrhea, restlessness and delirium can develop, along with a rash that can appear on the wrists and ankles. Among the common symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the rash is the most distinctive and is the easiest method of identifying the disease.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection most often transmitted by a tick bite. Ticks infected with Rickettsia rickettsii, the bacteria responsible for causing the symptoms of this disease, can be found throughout North America and South America. These ticks are most active during spring and summer months, meaning that infection is most likely during this period.

Early symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever appear appear within two weeks of a bite from the infected tick. These initial symptoms strike suddenly and without warning. Tick bites do not cause pain or discomfort, meaning that the patient is often unaware of the bite or the exposure to the disease, making early misdiagnosis more likely.

Fever is often among the first symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever to be noticed. This fever is quite high, typically reaching temperatures of at least 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius). Temperatures might reach as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius).

As with other high fevers, this disease can cause secondary symptoms such as fatigue, chills, aches and headache. Bright light might intensify pain and discomfort. Other initial symptoms include gastrointestinal distress such as a loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. The patient might also experience abdominal pain.

Patients experiencing these symptoms are likely to consult with a doctor. The early symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever are nonspecific and resemble many other diseases. Although doctors are especially aware of the disease during warmer months and in regions where tick bites are more prevalent, misdiagnosis is possible in the absence of more specific symptoms, especially when ticks have not been discovered.

Secondary symptoms generally appear within three to five days after the fever begins. As the disease progresses, the patient might experience restlessness, insomnia or delirium. The patient might also suffer from diarrhea.

During this period, the patient also will develop a rash. This spotty or blotchy rash typically appears on the wrists or ankles before spreading. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is most easily identified by this rash. It should be noted, however, that this rash is not always present, and it might not be pronounced on darker-pigmented skin.

Treatment for Rocky Mountain spotted fever usually requires a course of antibiotics, and hospitalization might be required to manage the symptoms. Left untreated, this disease is life threatening. Even when the disease proves to be nonfatal, the fever can cause serious damage to vital organs and systems as well as permanent debilitating medical conditions.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By anon179035 — On May 22, 2011

Having symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever then requires a swift diagnosis. This is where the problems arise. A test which many doctors will not subscribe to seems to give a more accurate diagnosis for this disease.

My niece has been suffering needlessly for more than three years because she was misdiagnosed, and I mean suffering. As noted above, this comes with potentially seriously life threatening consequences. Antibiotics need to be administered swiftly. They will often treat you for everything but. You're better off assuming you've been bitten by a tick and get antibiotics than for everyone to assume everything else.

Do yourself a favor and play it safe and get an antibiotic regime going. You simply cannot afford to wait when dealing with this disease. There are many, many sufferers out there because their doctor embracing some foolish protocols with the FDA cause them to hesitate while the person is ailing before their eyes. If it walks like a duck it probably is a duck. If you think you've been exposed to ticks, then you probably have been bitten by one.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-symptoms-of-rocky-mountain-spotted-fever.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.