by | May 30, 2024 | Healthy Living
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: What You Need to Know
Your dog is truly your best friend, he’s been by your side for several major life transitions, and you take him everywhere. During the work week, you are behind a computer for hours on end, but when the weekend arrives, you and your sidekick get back to enjoying and exploring the great outdoors for hours on end making you fully appreciate insect repellants for you and tick control medicine for your pup so you can both avoid tickborne illnesses such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a serious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites. Despite its name, RMSF is found in various parts of North and South America, not just the Rocky Mountains. The disease is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia and is carried by several species of ticks. The Rocky Mountain wood tick is found in the western United States, the American dog tick, found east of the Rockies, and the lone star tick, found in the eastern and southern U.S. are the primary carriers of RMSF. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Pacific Coast tick fever belong to the same group of rickettsial diseases characterized by fever and rashes. Individuals who spend time in grassy or wooded areas, like hikers, campers, and pet owners, are particularly at risk.
How Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Spreads
The bacterium R. spreads through the bite of an infected tick, primarily in late spring and summer when tick populations peak, March through October.) When a tick bites, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and infect the cells lining the blood vessels, causing them to become inflamed and break apart. This allows the bacteria to spread throughout the body, leading to serious health problems. The infection can also occur if crushed tick parts enter a scratch or wound.
Understanding Tick Vectors
Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of animals and humans. Commonly found in tall grasses and bushes, ticks wait for hosts like dogs or humans to pass by. The Rocky Mountain wood tick, American dog tick, and lone star tick are the primary carriers of RMSF. Ticks become infected by feeding on small mammals that harbor the bacteria and can transmit R. and other tickborne diseases to humans through prolonged bites. Prompt removal of ticks can prevent the transmission of bacteria.
Recognizing RMSF Symptoms
Symptoms of RMSF typically appear 2-14 days after a tick bite and may include:
- Sudden onset of fever lasting 2-3 weeks
- Severe headache and confusion
- Muscle pain
- Non-itchy rash with flat pink spots, starting on wrists, ankles, soles of the feet, or palms
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Bloodshot or light-sensitive eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Sore throat
Early symptoms often resemble other illnesses, making diagnosis challenging. The distinctive rash, appearing a few days after initial symptoms, is a key indicator but may not be present in all cases, and can be hard to identify on darker skin. Early recognition and treatment are crucial to avoid severe complications like nerve damage, hearing loss, incontinence, tissue death, partial paralysis, damage to internal organs, or even death.
Diagnosing and Treating RMSF
RMSF is diagnosed through clinical evaluation and blood tests conducted after the first week of infection and once antibodies and bacterium can be seen. Due to the rapid progression of the disease and its serious complications, doctors often begin treatment based on symptoms and exposure history before confirming the diagnosis. The primary treatment is antibiotics, specifically doxycycline, which is most effective if started early. Supportive care for symptoms like high fever and severe headache is also important.
Preventing RMSF
Preventing RMSF involves several strategies:
- Avoiding tick-infested areas, especially the warmer months, from March to October
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors to prevent tick bites
- Using EPA-registered insect repellents containing 20% DEET
- Performing regular tick checks after outdoor activities
- Keeping pets on vet-recommended flea and tick prevention
- Staying in the middle of trails while hiking
- Showering or bathing immediately after being in tick habitats
- Immediately place clothes worn in tick habitats in the dryer for 10 minutes to kill any ticks
The best way to avoid ticks is to create a tick-free environment around your home. Regularly clear long grasses and leaf litter where ticks thrive. Use tick collars for pets to prevent them from bringing ticks indoors. If ticks are common in your area, consider using pest control. Regularly check children for ticks, as they are more vulnerable to bites. Key places to look are around joints, the belly button, behind the ears, the hairline, the top of the head, and anywhere clothing presses more tightly. A fine-toothed comb can help check hair. Insect repellants are not recommended for children under 2 months of age, and repellants with oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) should not be used on children under 3 years of age.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Pets
Dogs, our furry best friend, can also get sick with RMSF and their symptoms follow the same 2-14 days incubation period as for humans.
Symptoms in dogs include:
- Poor appetite
- Muscle or joint pain
- Fever
- Swelling of the face and/or legs
- Coughing
- Depression
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
While you can’t catch RMSF directly from your dog, it’s essential to keep pets on vet-recommended tick control and check them regularly for sneaky hitchhiking pests.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a severe but preventable disease. Awareness of symptoms, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment are vital to overcoming RMSF. Preventive measures, such as avoiding tick-infested areas and using effective tick repellents, can significantly reduce the risk of infection. Recognizing early signs like fever, headache, rash, and loss of appetite ensures timely treatment, protecting you and your loved ones from the dangers of this tick-borne disease.
