About this topic
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an infection caused by a tick bite. You may start to have signs within 1 to 2 weeks after the tick bite. The rash that most often goes with this illness looks like small red spots. It starts on the wrists, ankles, hands, and feet. Then, it spreads to your trunk. As the illness continues, it looks like small bruises. You may also have a fever, chills, upset stomach, throwing up, headache, red eyes, and achy muscles. If not treated, this disease can cause very severe problems in the heart, lungs, brain, and blood vessels. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of fluids each day. This will help prevent fluid loss.
- Your doctor will give you drugs to treat this problem. Be sure to take them as ordered.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Lower fever
- Help with pain
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Blood vessel damage
- Brain damage or infection
- Bleeding
- Heart problems
- Lung problems or infection
- Kidney damage
- Amputation of fingers or toes in severe cases
- Paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Deafness
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- If you see a tick on your skin, remove the tick right away. Use tweezers and carefully remove the tick by using steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick so the entire tick comes out. Do not squeeze it. Clean the area on your skin with alcohol after it is removed. Put the tick in a jar or Ziploc bag in the freezer if your doctor suggests you keep it for tests. Otherwise, flush the tick down the toilet.
- Protect yourself from ticks.
- Wear long pants and shirts or jackets with long sleeves when in wooded areas.
- Tuck pants into socks or boots.
- Use an insect repellent when going outside. Check the label to make sure it has 10% to 30% DEET.
- Protect your pets from ticks by using special collars, drugs, or shampoos.
- Spray insect repellent to get rid of ticks around your home.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Pain not helped by drugs you are taking
- Rash or dark area where you have been bitten
- Changes in behavior
- Problems breathing or swallowing
- Reddening or swelling in your legs or arms that will not heal and seems to be getting worse
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
- I can tell you ways to help prevent this infection.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, pain, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/rmsf/ ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/skin/rocky.html ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/600/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚