Rocky Mountain spotted fever: deadly, but preventable

"Do you know about Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), the most deadly tickborne disease in the world?

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a serious, sometimes deadly, bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick.

• Tickborne spotted fevers, including RMSF, may cause more than 3,000 cases per year in the continental United States.
• More than 60% of reported RMSF cases occur in five states (North Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri).
• While the majority of RMSF cases occur during summer months, ticks can still bite you during the spring, fall, or even year-round in warmer climates.

Signs and Symptoms

Early signs of RMSF are often non-specific with symptoms such as fever and headache. RMSF can progress to a serious and life-threatening illness in days. Early signs and symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Rash, usually occurs around days 2-5
• Nausea, vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Muscle pain
• Lack of appetite.."
  Rocky Mountain spotted fever