For Your Health: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)

Jan Morrow

In 2019, in our county there were more than 45 confirmed cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever reported (we know some that were not reported). The Registered Nurses follow up on all communicable cases as you know.

What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever? According to the Center for Disease Control, it is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. Most people who get sick will have a fever, headache and rash. RMSF can be deadly if not treated early with the right antibiotic. Doxycycline is the recommended antibiotic treatment for RMSF in adults and children of all ages. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, muscle pain and lack of appetite. Rash is a common sign in people who are sick with RMSF. Rash usually develops 2-4 days after fever begins. The look of the rash can widely spread over the course of illness. Some rashes can look like red splotches and some look like pinpoint dots. While almost all patients with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever will develop a rash, it often does not appear early in illness which can make RMSF difficult to diagnose.

Prevention is so important as there is no vaccine to prevent RMSF. Before you go outdoors, know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals, so spending time outside camping, gardening or hunting could bring you in close contact with ticks. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood. Treat clothing and gear with products containing permethrin. This can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Other products use EPA insect repellents that contain Deet, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon eucalyptus, etc. Always follow the required directions when using any products.

After you come indoors, always check your clothing for ticks. Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed. Shower soon after being outdoors as this can reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease, also. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks as well. Check under your arms, in and around the ears, inside belly button, back of the knees, in and around the hair, between the legs and around the waist.

If you do find an attached tick, remove it as soon as you notice it by grasping with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible and pulling it straight out. Watch for signs of illness such as rash or fever in the days and weeks following the bite. Contact your health provider if these develop.

Reduce ticks in your yard by modifying your landscape. Regularly removing leaf litter and clear tall grasses and brush around homes can help. Place wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to keep ticks away from recreational areas. Keep play areas and playground equipment away from shrubs, bushes, and other vegetation.

We hope this information is helpful with all your summer activities.

Stay healthy.