Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Question 1

R. Rickettsia is the scientific name for what tick borne illness?

Answer 1

RMSF

Question 2

What U.S. areas of prevalence can you find RMSF?

Answer 2

N. Carolina, Tennessee, MO, Arkansas, Oklahoma.

*can be found throughout the US

Question 3

What type of tick transmitts RMSF?

Answer 3

american dog tick if east of rockies.
woody tick in the rockies.
brown dog tick wordlwide

Question 4

incubation period for RMSF

Answer 4

2-14 days

Question 5

Sx of early illness of RMSF (days 1-4)

Answer 5

fever, HA, GI sx, edema on eyes, hands.

rash 2-4 days after fever. pink macules spreading from limbs to trunk.

Question 6

Sx of later RMSF illness (days 5 or later)

Answer 6

bleeding or clotting in brain or other vital organs (due to infected endothelial cells)

severe cases have neuro deficits, damaged organs, possible amputation.

Question 7

if a patient w RMSF fails to develop a rash, how should they be treated?

Answer 7

diagnose and treat the same even in absence of a rash

Question 8

what is another maladie that causes rash on the hands and feet similar to RMSF?

Answer 8

syphilis

Question 8

what is another maladie that causes rash on the hands and feet similar to RMSF?

Answer 8

syphilis

Question 9

Labs to consider with a RMSF suspicion

Answer 9

CBC and Chem (thrombocytopenia, hyponatremia

PCR

IFA (immunofluorescence antibody assay), IgG most reliable.

Question 10

Treatment of RMSF

Answer 10

Doxycycline 100mg PO BID 5-7 days or for 3 days AFTER fever.