Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a disease caused by a bacterium transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. This disease is rare in Canada. However, if it is not treated quickly, it can lead to serious and sometimes life-threatening complications.
The first symptoms usually appear 2 to 14 days after the bite. The main symptoms include the following:
- Fever
- Headache
- Rash
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
In most infected people, a rash develops within the first few days after symptoms begin. It usually starts on the forearms and ankles, sometimes on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, and may spread to the rest of the body.
Early treatment helps reduce the risk of complications. Possible complications include the following:
- Anemia
- Neurological complications (confusion, seizures, temporary hearing loss, encephalitis)
- Heart problems
- Circulation problems
- Liver or kidney problems
- Respiratory problems
Causes and triggers
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. The tick can transmit the bacteria after remaining attached to the skin for only a few hours (about 4 to 6 hours). The bacteria that cause the infection attack blood vessels, which can lead to circulation problems and damage certain organs.
Ticks do not fly or jump. They are usually found in forests and wooded areas, in tall grass, and near bodies of water. Ticks capable of transmitting the disease are present in Canada, the United States, and in several countries in Central and South America.
Treatment
There is no vaccine to prevent this disease. If you have recently been bitten by a tick and develop symptoms, an antibiotic treatment may be prescribed. It is important to start treatment as soon as possible after symptoms appear (ideally within the first 5 days) to reduce the risk of complications.
The best way to prevent Rocky Mountain spotted fever is to avoid tick bites. Here are some recommendations:
- When walking in the woods, stay on the trail.
- When walking in tall grasses or wooded areas, wear pants and tuck them into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt that is fitted at the wrists and tucked into your pants, closed shoes and a hat.
- Wear long and light-coloured clothing to make it easier to spot ticks.
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin to exposed areas of the body, avoiding the face.
- Check yourself, others, pets, and equipment for ticks after returning from a risk area.
- Remove the tick from the skin as quickly as possible using tweezers or a special tick removal tool. Grasp it as close to the skin's surface as possible (not by its body) and pull upward without twisting.
When should I see a health care professional?
Please consult a health care professional as soon as possible in the following cases:
- You think you have been bitten by a tick.
- You believe you have one or more symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever after taking part in outdoor activities where ticks may be present.