Rocky Mountain spotted fever - Rickettsiosis

It is an infectious disease caused by rickettsiae and transmitted by ticks. It is most common in spring and summer in wooded areas of the United States, Canada and Central America. It frequently affects children and adolescents who are active outdoors in wooded areas.

It is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, which lives inside the cells of other organisms. It is transmitted by the bite or blood of forest-dwelling ticks or animals such as dogs. 

Symptoms include severe headache, fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and a skin rash. The rash usually affects wrists and ankles initially, spreading to palms, soles and the rest of the body quickly. In more severe cases, it can cause agitation, abdominal pain, respiratory failure, low blood pressure, coma and even death of the infected person.

Diagnosis is made by clinical examination, physical examination, blood tests and biopsy of the skin rash.

It is advisable to visit your GP in mild cases to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment. If you develop: low blood pressure, extensive skin lesions or altered level of consciousness, seek prompt medical attention at the nearest hospital for early medical evaluation.

Treatment is antibiotic; it should be early and maintained for 7 days. Doxacycline is the most commonly used antibiotic.