Rocky Mountain spotted fever Rickketsial Diseases
How is Rocky Mountain spotted fever treated?
RMSF is often treated with tetracycline class antibiotics, usually doxycycline.
Can a person get Rocky Mountain spotted fever more than once?
Previous infection is thought to provide long lasting immunity against re-infection. However, this should not deter persons from practicing good tick-preventive measures or visiting a physician if signs and symptoms consistent with RMSF occur, especially following a tick bite, as other diseases may also be transmitted by ticks.
What can be done to prevent Rocky Mountain spotted fever?
Avoid areas where ticks might be present: tall grass, high brush, weedy or wooded areas. When entering these areas take the following precautions to reduce the risk of acquiring tick-borne diseases:
Wear light-colored, long pants, tuck pant cuffs into sock tops and spray pant legs and socks with insect repellent. Repellents containing 0.5% permethrin or 20- 30% DEET are effective in repelling ticks. Follow application directions carefully.
When possible, avoid walking in tall grass and weeds. Conduct visual “tick checks” on yourself and children every hour or two.Check pets for ticks before allowing them into the home. Carefully remove attached ticks as soon as possible.Keep yard and play areas well mowed to discourage ticks.
How should a tick be removed?
Since disease transmission occurs within hours of attachment, it is important to remove ticks as soon as possible after discovery. To remove an attached tick, grasp it with tweezers as close as possible to the skin and pull with firm, steady pressure straight out.
Do not twist or jerk the tick, as the mouthparts may break off. If tweezers are not available, protect fingers with rubber gloves or tissue paper. Do not handle ticks with bare hands.Do not squeeze, crush or puncture the body of the tick as it may contain infected fluids.
After removing the tick, thoroughly disinfect the bite site and wash your hands. Place the tick in a small jar or vial with a moist piece of paper towel and sent to the Vector-borne Disease Program for identification. See or call your doctor if there is a concern about incomplete tick removal.