Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (pronunciation: ROK-ee MOUN-tin SPOT-ed FEE-ver) is a bacterial disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick. The disease is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii.
Etymology
The disease was first identified in the Rocky Mountains, hence the name. The term "spotted fever" is derived from the characteristic rash that often develops in the early stages of the disease.
Symptoms
The initial symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle pain, lack of appetite, and conjunctivitis. A rash often develops a few days after the onset of the fever.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be challenging due to its non-specific initial symptoms. However, the presence of the characteristic rash, a history of tick exposure, and living in or having recently traveled to an area where the disease is endemic can help in the diagnosis. Laboratory tests can also confirm the presence of Rickettsia rickettsii.
Treatment
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is typically treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. Early treatment is crucial to prevent serious complications.
Prevention
Prevention strategies include avoiding tick-infested areas, using insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants, and checking for and removing ticks after being outdoors.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Wikipedia's article - Rocky Mountain spotted fever
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski