by | May 30, 2024 | Healthy Living
Understanding Ticks and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Living in one of the best spots for outdoor exploring is something you really appreciate about the Charlotte, North Carolina area. You much prefer the slower pace of rivers and forests to some of the other places you’ve lived that were more like urban jungles. You also had to pick up some new skills after your first tick bite.
What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a serious bacterial disease transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. Despite its name, RMSF is not limited to the Rocky Mountains and can occur in various parts of North and South America. The disease is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii (R. rickettsii), which is carried by certain species of ticks, including the Rocky Mountain wood tick, the American dog tick, the lone star tick, and the brown dog tick. Those who spend time in tall grass or wooded areas, such as hikers, campers, and pet owners, are particularly at risk for tick-borne diseases like RMSF.
RMSF was first identified in 1896 in Idaho as “black measles” due to its severe symptoms and dark rashes. In 1906, Howard Ricketts discovered that ticks were responsible for spreading the disease, leading to the naming of the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. Since then, RMSF cases have been reported across North and South America. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Pacific Coast tick fever are both caused by the spotted fever group bacteria to which R. rickettsii belongs.
Understanding Rickettsia Rickettsii
Rickettsia rickettsii, the bacterium causing RMSF, is spread through the bites of infected ticks. During late spring and summer, tick populations increase, raising the risk of infection. When an infected tick bites, R. rickettsii enters the bloodstream and infects the cells that line the blood vessels. This infection causes the cells to break apart, allowing the RMSF bacteria to spread throughout the body, leading to serious health problems. The infection can also spread to anyone who has a scratch or opening in their skin that part of a crushed tick enters.
What are Ticks?
Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They are commonly found in tall grasses and bushes, waiting for potential hosts like dogs or humans to pass by. 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. Ticks become infected by feeding on small mammals that harbor the bacteria. They transmit R. rickettsii to humans through bites, usually after being attached for several hours. Immediate removal of the tick’s body can prevent the transmission of the bacteria.
Recognizing the Symptoms of RMSF
RMSF symptoms can appear 2-14 days after a tick bite and include:
- Sudden onset of a fever lasting 2-3 weeks
- Severe headache/ Confusion
- Muscle pain
- Rash, non-itchy with flat pink spots starting on wrists, ankles, soles of the feet, or palms of the hands. It can be difficult to see on dark skin.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Bloodshot and/or light-sensitive eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Sore throat
Early signs of RMSF often resemble other common illnesses, which can make early diagnosis difficult. The first symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, such as fever and headache, can be misleading. The distinctive rash, which appears a few days after the initial symptoms, is a key indicator but is not present in all cases. Recognizing these early symptoms is important for prompt treatment. Untreated, serious complications such as nerve damage, hearing loss, incontinence, tissue death of toes or fingers, and partial paralysis can result. In rare cases, kidney failure or death can occur.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of RMSF involves clinical evaluation and blood tests done after the first week of infection when antibodies or bacteria can be detected. Due to the disease’s rapid progression, doctors often start treatment based on symptoms and exposure history before test results confirm the diagnosis. The primary treatment is antibiotic treatment with doxycycline, effective if started early. Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent severe complications like internal organ damage or death. Supportive care for symptoms like high fever and severe headache is also important.
Prevention
Preventing RMSF involves several strategies:
- Avoiding tick-infested areas, especially during peak seasons, particularly between March and October
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors
- Using EPA-registered insect repellents containing 20% DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus
- Performing regular tick checks after outdoor activities
- Keep pets on vet-recommended flea and tick prevention
- When hiking, stay in the middle of the trail
- Shower or bathe as soon as you get in from the tick habitat.
- Place clothes worn in tick habitat in the dryer for 10 minutes to kill any ticks on them.
- Promptly remove attached ticks with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool
Creating a tick-free environment around your home is important and the best way to protect yourself and children of all ages. Regularly clearing long grasses and leaf litter where ticks thrive can help. Using tick collars for pets can prevent them from bringing ticks into the home. Brown ticks love homes and yards. If they are prevalent where you live, consider using pest control. For children, especially those who are months of age or older, it’s important to check for ticks regularly, as they are more vulnerable to tick bites. There is no vaccine to prevent RMSF.
Dogs and RMSF
Your dog can get RMSF just like you can with incubation of the same 2-14 days. Keeping your pets on vet-recommended tick control and checking them regularly for ticks is important to protect their health. In dogs, the symptoms of RMSF can be vague but include:
- Poor appetite
- Muscle or joint pain
- Fever
- Coughing
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Swelling of the face and/or legs
- Depression
You don’t have to worry about potentially catching RMSF from your dog since ticks can only transmit it.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a severe but preventable disease. Awareness of symptoms, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment by a medical provider are key 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 and symptoms, such as fever, headache, rash, and loss of appetite, ensures timely treatment, protecting you and your loved ones from the dangers of this tick-borne disease.
