Rickettsia Rickettsii is what causes the disease Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Rickettsia is non-motile, gram negative, and non-spore forming. Mode of transmission is ticks which are usually found on dogs or close by in yards. These ticks are found all over the world, not in one specific area.
Signs and symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever vary depending on severity of the specific case. People start to experience symptoms three to twelve days following tick bite. Fever is one of the very first symptoms to occur. A rash typically follows the fever a couple days afterward. Other symptoms are headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, myalgia and anorexia. Resources state if you get treated sooner than later you can catch it in time and start treatment before it gets severe which can require hospitalization. …show more content…
It is recommended for treating children and adults diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. If you start the antibiotic within a week of symptoms, you have a better chance of not having a severe case that could potentially lead to fatality. Severe cases can require longer periods of antibiotics. The only other treatment drug is Chloramphenicol, but the disadvantage is there is a greater risk of fatality with this antibiotic. If sulfa containing drugs are used it can worsen the case and death is likely. (Centers for Disease Control, 2017) No treatment of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can result in encephalitis, seizures, renal failure or respiratory distress. It can also result in organ damage or possibly death. (Center for Disease Control,
Signs and symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever vary depending on severity of the specific case. People start to experience symptoms three to twelve days following tick bite. Fever is one of the very first symptoms to occur. A rash typically follows the fever a couple days afterward. Other symptoms are headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, myalgia and anorexia. Resources state if you get treated sooner than later you can catch it in time and start treatment before it gets severe which can require hospitalization. …show more content…
It is recommended for treating children and adults diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. If you start the antibiotic within a week of symptoms, you have a better chance of not having a severe case that could potentially lead to fatality. Severe cases can require longer periods of antibiotics. The only other treatment drug is Chloramphenicol, but the disadvantage is there is a greater risk of fatality with this antibiotic. If sulfa containing drugs are used it can worsen the case and death is likely. (Centers for Disease Control, 2017) No treatment of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can result in encephalitis, seizures, renal failure or respiratory distress. It can also result in organ damage or possibly death. (Center for Disease Control,