Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (cont.)
How is Rocky Mountain spotted fever diagnosed?
A diagnosis of Rocky Mountain
spotted fever is based on a combination of clinical signs and symptoms and
specialized confirmatory laboratory tests. Other common laboratory findings
suggestive of Rocky Mountain spotted fever include thrombocytopenia,
hyponatremia, and elevated liver enzyme levels.
How is Rocky Mountain spotted fever treated?
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is
best treated by using a tetracycline (Achromycin) antibiotic, usually doxycycline (Vibramycin). This
medication should be given in doses of 100 mg every 12 hours for adults or 4
mg/kg body weight per day in two divided doses for children under 45 kg (100
lbs). Patients are treated for at least 3 days after the fever subsides and
until there is unequivocal evidence of clinical improvement. Standard duration
of treatment is 5 to 10 days. Because laboratory confirmation is generally not
available during acute illness, treatment is initiated based on clinical and
epidemiological information.
Can a person get Rocky Mountain spotted fever more than once?
Infection with R. rickettsii is thought to provide long lasting immunity against
re-infection. However, prior illness with Rocky Mountain spotted fever should
not deter persons from practicing good tick-preventive measures or visiting a
physician if signs and symptoms consistent with Rocky Mountain spotted fever
occur, especially following a tick bite, as other diseases may also be
transmitted by ticks.
How can Rocky Mountain spotted fever be prevented?
Limiting exposure
to ticks reduces the likelihood of infection with Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
In persons exposed to tick-infested habitats, prompt careful inspection and
removal of crawling or attached ticks is an important method of preventing
disease. It may take extended attachment time before organisms are transmitted
from the tick to the host.
It is unreasonable to assume that a person can completely eliminate
activities that may result in tick exposure. Therefore, prevention measures
should emphasize personal protection when exposed to natural areas where ticks
are present:
- Wear light-colored clothing which allows you to see ticks that are crawling
on your clothing.
- Tuck your pants legs into your socks so that ticks cannot
crawl up the inside of your pants legs.
- Apply repellents to discourage tick
attachment. Repellents containing permethrin can be sprayed on boots and
clothing, and will last for several days. Repellents containing DEET (n,
n-diethyl-m-toluamide) can be applied to the skin, but will last only a few
hours before reapplication is necessary. Use DEET with caution on children.
Application of large amounts of DEET on children has been associated with
adverse reactions.
- Conduct a body check upon return from potentially
tick-infested areas by searching your entire body for ticks. Use a hand-held or
full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Remove any tick you find on
your body.
- Parents should check their children for ticks, especially in the
hair, when returning from potentially tick-infested areas. Ticks may also be
carried into the household on clothing and pets and only attach later, so both
should be examined carefully to exclude ticks.
Next: What is the best way to remove a tick? »
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