Lyme Disease Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

What Is The Treatment For Tick

• Lyme disease: Patients treated with appropriate antibiotics in the early stages of Lyme disease usually recover rapidly and completely, says Dr. Moscovitz. Antibiotics commonly used include doxycycline, amoxicillin or cefuroxime axetil. Patients with Lyme disease may require follow-up with a specialist, such as a rheumatologist, to treat chronic aches and pains that are due to inflammation.
• Anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever: Doxycycline is the first line treatment for adults and children of all ages.
• Babesiosis: Combination therapy with atovaquone and azithromycin is most commonly recommended for treatment of mild to moderate babesiosis. Treatment is usually continued for 7 to 10 days. A combination regimen of oral clindamycin and quinine has also been proven effective, but the rate of adverse reactions is significantly higher with this combination.

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How Do I Get Ready For This Test

You don’t need to get ready for this test. Be sure your healthcare provider knows about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don’t need a prescription and any illegal drugs you may use.

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What Tests Will Be Done To Diagnose Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Your provider can use blood and skin tests to diagnose Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but the results may not be available right away. Your provider will probably have to decide whether to treat you for RMSF before you test positive.

• Blood tests. Your provider will take a sample of your blood to test for the bacteria that causes RMSF. Your blood usually wont be positive for RMSF for seven to 10 days into your illness. You may have to repeat blood tests later in your illness or after you recover.
• Skin tests. Your provider will use a special cutting tool called a punch to get a sample of your skin where you have a rash. Theyll test the sample for signs of R. rickettsii.

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Treating Children And Pregnant Women

• Doxycycline is the drug of choice recommended by both CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases to treat suspected rickettsial disease in children.
• A recent study found that short courses of doxycycline did not result in staining of permanent teeth or enamel hypoplasia. Use doxycycline as the first-line treatment for suspected RMSF in patients of all ages.

Lyme Disease Tick Bite Looks Like

Dogs vaccinated against Lyme disease should still be checked for ticks as the parasites can attach to other hosts, including people. If you find a tick attached, you need to use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, then perpendicularly pull away from the skin, wash the area with soap, and apply topical antiseptic.

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What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

RMSF gets its name from the trademark rash it causes. Small red spots and blotches begin on the wrists and ankles, then spread to the palms and soles, and up the arms and legs toward the trunk. Over time, the red spots might start to look more like bruises or bloody dots or patches under the skin.

Other signs of RMSF include:

Symptoms often begin suddenly, usually within 1 week of a tick bite, though sometimes a bit later. Often, the person doesn’t remember being bitten by a tick. The rash most often appears 35 days after the fever and headache start, but can take longer.

How Is Lyme Disease Diagnosed

Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose because symptoms are not consistent and may mimic other conditions. The primary symptom is a rash, but it may not be present in up to 20% of cases.

Diagnosis for Lyme disease must be made by a healthcare provider experienced in recognizing Lyme disease. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and a history of a tick bite. Testing is generally done to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions. This may need blood and other lab tests.

Research is underway to develop and improve methods for diagnosing Lyme disease.

The symptoms of Lyme disease may look like other medical conditions or problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

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What Is This Test

Rocky Mountain spotted fever testing includes a blood sample used to look for proteins that the body makes to fight RMSF infections. RMSF is a serious bacterial infection caused by a bite from an infected tick. In most people, antibodies can’t be found until at least a week after infection.

A blood sample is taken about 1 week after symptoms appear and again 2 to 4 weeks later.

Other Types Of Rickettsiosis Infections

Rickettsia parkerii, found along the Gulf Coast, and R. phillipii, from the West Coast, cause a milder form of rickettsiosis. The spotted rash is not as common but both will frequently cause an eschar or necrotic area about one centimeter across, at the site of the tick bite. These other types of rickettsiosis usually result in a mild illness that may go undiagnosed. Thus, the actual number of infections may be higher than we know.

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Symptoms Of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Vs Lyme Disease

Even though theyre both transmitted through ticks, these two infections can cause distinct symptoms.

• Erythema migrans rash

The main Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting

Although they have different symptoms, both RMSF and Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose because oftentimes the symptoms arent specific to these illnesses. This is especially true if someone didnt know that they were bit by a tick in the first place.

Accurate Testing Is Key

The fact is that many tick-borne disease symptoms closely resemble those of other illnesses, which can lead to misdiagnosis and delayed or ineffective treatment for patients. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, doctors often cant rely on symptoms alone. They need accurate, sensitive testing to pinpoint the source of disease. Learn about the tick-borne disease testing available at IGeneX, including tests for Lyme disease, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, and other tick borne infectious diseases.

Additional Resources

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What Can I Expect If I Have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Most people recover from Rocky Mountain spotted fever with no lasting issues if they receive quick treatment after symptoms start. Some people have serious complications that need treatment in a hospital.

Even after you recover, its possible to have long-term health issues.

Complications of Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Even with antibiotic treatment, some people with Rocky Mountain spotted fever have serious or life-threatening complications, including:

• Neurological difficulties, like balance issues or vertigo.

How Is Lyme Disease Treated

Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment for you based on:

• How old you are

Lyme disease in the earliest stage is usually treated with antibiotics for 2 to 3 weeks.

Treatment will also be considered based on these and other factors:

• If you are bitten by a tick that tests positive for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease

• If you are bitten by a tick and have any of the symptoms

• If you are bitten by a tick and are pregnant

• If you are bitten by a tick and live in a high-risk area

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Take A Tour Of Envita Medical Centers

With tickborne diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease, there are chances of disease progression and complications due to the lack of proper diagnosis and treatments. If you have any questions about Lyme disease or any other tick-borne disease, please don’t hesitate to ask us. We have a dedicated team who can help answer any specific questions you may have as well as provide more in-depth educational material to help you make the right decisions when it comes to comprehensive treatment.

Choose Envita Medical Centers

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Vs Lyme Disease

When people think of tick-borne illnesses, Lyme disease is usually the first, and sometimes only, one that comes to mind. Unfortunately, there are a slew of other infections that can be spread via a tick bite.

One of those is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, or RMSF. Although its different from Lyme disease, RMSF comes with its own risks and complications. Its important to know the signs and symptoms, as well as the difference between these two infections, especially if youre exposed to ticks more frequently.

Lets take a look at Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever vs. Lyme disease so that you can be proactive in taking care of your health.

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What Other Tests Might I Have Along With This Test

You might need other blood tests. These might include a complete blood cell count and a chemistry panel. A low platelet count, low sodium level, or higher liver enzymes could mean RMSF. If you have a skin rash, your healthcare provider may order a skin biopsy to look for bacterial infection in the cells that line your blood vessels.

Time Course Of Disease

Symptoms typically develop 16 weeks after the patient has been bitten by the tick. Symptoms may first appear or recur many months after exposure in patients who are or become immunocompromised. Subclinical cases that became more apparent have been reported when the patient underwent a splenectomy for an unrelated illness or developed a malignancy .

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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

If you have a tick bite or have been in an area with ticks and have symptoms of RMSF, see your healthcare provider right away.

If you have a tick bite but dont have any symptoms, you dont need to see your provider yet taking antibiotics when youre not sick wont help prevent RMSF.

When should I go to the ER?

Go to the nearest ER if you have any of these symptoms:

• Fever over 103 F .

Lyme Disease Nymph Tick

The Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, is spread through the bite of infected ticks.The blacklegged tick spreads the disease in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central United States.The western blacklegged tick spreads the disease on the Pacific Coast.Ticks can attach to any part of the human.

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Common Mimics And Differential Diagnosis

Early RMSF has similar symptoms to many common disorders. Headache and fever may be attributed to viral syndrome, meningitis, or encephalitis. The maculopapular rash may be thought due to drug reaction, viral syndrome, scarlet fever, or Kawasaki disease. Abdominal pain associated with RMSF has been mistaken for appendicitis, cholecystitis, or gastroenteritis . Significant cutaneous necrosis or vasculitis of RMSF may be mistaken for meningococcemia or an idiopathic vasculitis such as Kawasaki disease in children.

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Is Rickettsiathe Same As Lyme Disease

This is another commonquestion, and the answer is a lot simpler. Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia strain of bacteria,specifically Borrelia burgdorferi. Itis not a rickettsial infection. In fact, B. burgdorferi is carriedprimarily by deer ticks . These ticks do not carry anystrain of rickettsia, although other co-infections, such as babesiosis andbartonelliosis are surprisingly common.

Image by on : RMSF is traditionally diagnosed with a blood test, based on Immunoglobulin M and IgG serologic responses to the causative bacteria.

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How Lyme Disease And Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Can Coexist

The similarity in the epidemiology of both the diseases increases the chances of RMSF being a co-infection associated with Chronic Lyme Disease Complex. According to a 2015 study by Envita Medical Centers, a world-class center of excellence for Lyme disease treatment, diseases like RMSF, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and tularemia, which are harbored by tick bites, may be potential co-infections of Lyme disease. In fact, the CDC states that certain rickettsia like bacteria, such as ehrlichia can be transmitted to humans through the bite of either an infected lone star tick or the Lyme disease carrier deer tick .

Envita Medical Centers doesn’t make any guarantee of outcomes. Results are not typical and will vary from person to person and should not be expected.

In their clinical experience of over 20 years, the expert team of Lyme Literate Doctors at Envita Medical Centers have treated thousands of patients with aggravated conditions due to multiple co-infections like RMSF, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and tularemia. All these conditions may either co-exist in combinations, manifest along with Lyme disease, or exist independently, but they need early diagnosis and timely medical intervention to avoid aggravation of disease.

Thoughts On Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

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Key Physical Exam Findings And Diagnostic Features

The key physical exam finding of RMSF is the maculopapular, and then often vasculitic, rash starting on the distal extremities.

Laboratory tests are generally not revealing with the total leukocyte count usually normal or slightly elevated with increased numbers of immature neutrophils. Mild thrombocytopenia occurs in about 60% of patients, and half of patients may have mild hyponatremia or transaminitis. Thrombocytopenia is thought due to increased destruction at the areas of pathogen-induced vascular injury. Other laboratory abnormalities include increases in serum urea nitrogen or creatinine and bilirubin. A prolonged prothrombin or partial thromboplastin time can also be seen. If analyzed, cerebrospinal fluid may show a predominance of lymphocyte or monocyte pleocytosis and increased protein concentration . Azotemia can be present and is likely due to hypovolemia.

Serology testing using indirect fluorescent antibody testing to RMSF Rickettsia can be performed. Typically IgG and IgM antibodies do not appear until 710 days after the onset of symptoms, and therefore IFA testing cannot be used in the decision to treat in the first few days of the illness.

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How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

You can reduce your risk of Rocky Mountain spotted fever by avoiding tick bites.

• Cut your grass regularly. Long grass attracts ticks.
• Stay on cleared paths while in wooded areas.
• Use bug sprays that have ingredients that repel ticks .
• Cover as much of your skin as possible with clothing when youre in the woods or areas with long grass. Some clothing can even come pre-treated with tick repellant.
• Check yourself for ticks after youve been outside. If possible, have someone else check you in places you cant see yourself .
• Protect your pets from ticks with treatments your veterinarian recommends. Check your pets for ticks often, especially after theyve been outside.

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Can Lyme Disease Be Prevented

People arenât able to become immune to Lyme disease. So even if youâve had Lyme disease, you can get it again. No vaccine is available currently to prevent the disease.

The FDA approved a Lyme vaccine called LYMErix in 1998. The vaccine was not 100% effective, however. The FDA still recommended preventing the disease in other ways. In 2002, the company that made LYMErix said it would no longer offer the vaccine.

To help prevent Lyme disease, follow these guidelines.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

This illness is caused by bacteria which are transmitted by tick bites to humans.

Both adults and children can be affected by RMSF. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 5 cases per one million people were reported in the US per year.

Missouri, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma account for approximately 60 percent of reported cases.

RMSF is the most serious tick-borne disease in the US. About 0.3 percent of people who become ill with RMSF die from the infection.

• amputation of legs, fingers, arms, or toes .

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Category: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

A tick bite led to amputations on all four of an Oklahoma womans limbs. Doctors did it to save Jo Rogers life from the aggressive bacteria the insect passed on. A carrier tick may have dropped onto Rogers when she