In addition, in some rare cases, a rash may never develop (“spotless fever”). Less commonly, the rash may appear as early as the first day of illness or past five days. Thus, in some instances, the rash may not be present or may be subtle when affected individuals initially seek medical attention. Most affected individuals develop a skin rash between the third to fifth days after onset of fever. The disease may be difficult to diagnose in early stages since its early symptoms and signs are nonspecific, resembling those associated with many other infectious and non-infectious diseases. Additional early symptoms may include diarrhea, abdominal tenderness, and abdominal pain. Many also develop nausea, with or without vomiting, and loss of appetite (anorexia). Early symptoms usually include a fever that may reach 103 or 104 degrees Fahrenheit chills extreme exhaustion (prostration) muscle pain (myalgia) and severe headaches that are often associated with pain upon moving the eyes and increased sensitivity to light (photophobia). The onset of symptoms typically occurs approximately two to 14 days (with an average of seven days) after having been bitten by a tick carrying the R. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is considered the most potentially severe form of the spotted fevers. Several different types of ticks serve as “vectors” for the disease, transmitting the R. rickettsii bacterium results from tick bites. As noted above, in most cases, infection with the R. It has since been reported throughout the continental United States as well as Mexico, Canada, Central America, and South America. Without timely, appropriate treatment, individuals with severe disease may develop potentially life-threatening complications due to tissue and organ injury and dysfunction.Īs its name indicates, the disease was originally recognized in the Rocky Mountain states. Associated symptoms and findings may vary, depending upon the specific tissues and organs affected. rickettsii infection may affect blood vessels, tissues, and organs throughout the body, including the lungs, brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), heart, liver, and kidneys. In some severe cases, insufficient oxygenated blood supply to certain tissues may lead to areas of tissue loss (necrosis). The lesions usually develop “pin-point” reddish spots (petechia) due to localized bleeding (hemorrhaging) and may merge to form larger hemorrhagic patches. The rash typically initially consists of small, flat pinkish spots (macules) that eventually become raised (papules) and darker. The rash often initially appears on the skin of the wrists and ankles and spreads to involve the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, the forearms, the trunk, the buttocks, and the neck and facial areas. In addition, in most individuals with RMSF, a distinctive rash develops about three to five days after fever onset. Such damage leads to inflammatory changes of affected blood vessels (vasculitis), leakage of fluid from the blood vessels, an abnormal accumulation of fluid in body tissues (edema), and additional abnormalities, resulting in the symptoms and findings associated with the disease.Īpproximately two to 14 days after initial infection, early symptoms may include a high fever, severe headaches, muscle pain (myalgia), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite (anorexia), abdominal pain, and/or features. When introduced into the body, the bacterium spreads by the bloodstream or lymphatic vessels and multiplies within and damages certain cells lining the inside of small blood (vascular) vessels (i.e., endothelial cells) as well as vascular smooth muscle cells. rickettsii), which is usually transmitted by a tick bite. It is caused by infection with the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii (R. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is an infectious disease that belongs to a group of diseases known as the spotted fever group rickettsioses.
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