You can’t catch RMSF from another person. It can only be transmitted by a tick carrying R. rickettsia. Most commonly these ticks are the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), or brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus).

A contaminated tick must be attached to your skin and remain there for between four and 10 hours to infect you. Unfortunately, you probably won’t know you’ve been bitten you because it’s unlikely you would feel it, and the tick may fall off after the bite. Or you may find the tick, but only after it has been there for several hours.

These ticks are most often in areas such as woods and areas with brush, shrubs and low tree branches. Dogs that run in these areas could bring ticks to you as well.

The signs and symptoms of RMSF usually start to appear two to 14 days after infection. They may include:

• Fever
• Rash on your wrists, ankles, palms, and soles. It may appear as small, flat, pink, non-itchy spots.
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Muscle pain
• Poor or no appetite
• Red eyes

Most people with RMSF (up to 90%) develop a rash two to five days after the tick bite, although some people may see the rash appear later. Ten percent of infected people never notice a rash.

Most times, doctors make a diagnosis of RMSF based on your history and your signs and symptoms. Early RMSF treatment is important. Treatment often starts before your test results return.

Treatment for RMSF should begin as soon as possible to avoid complications. The antibiotic doxycycline is usually the first choice for treatment. You may need a different antibiotic though, depending on your individual situation. It’s important you complete your full course of antibiotics as prescribed.

Untreated RMSF can cause severe, life-threatening complications, such as:

• Encephalitis, inflammation of the brain
• Inflammation of the heart
• Inflammation of the lungs
• Kidney failure
• Sepsis

The only way to prevent contracting RMSF is to avoid bites from ticks that carry the infection. Experts recommend that if you must go into grassy or bushy areas, take these precautions:

• Wear long pants, socks, closed shoes, and long sleeves.
• Tuck your pant legs into yours socks.
• Use insect repellents.
• Check your pets for ticks before playing with them or allowing them indoors.

Examine your body thoroughly for ticks after you’ve been in an area prone to ticks. Check the folds of your skin, such as behind your knees, in your groin, and in areas like behind your ears, specifically. If you find a tick, it’s important that you remove it properly to avoid further risk of infection.

Removing a tick

Don’t try removing a tick using methods like “painting” it with Vaseline or some other product. Don’t try to burn it with a match or any methods passed down by generations. The only safe way to remove a tick is with this method:

• Using a pair of narrow, sharp tweezers, grab hold of the tick as close to your skin as possible.
• Pull directly up – do not twist or turn the tick. If you do this, the mouth part of the tick may stay under your skin. If this does happen, don’t try to dig it out. Simply clean and disinfect the area, and watch for signs if infection.
• Once the tick is off, place it in a sealed container that has some rubbing alcohol in it. The alcohol will kill the tick.
• Don’t crush the tick if you are going to dispose of it. Place it in a sealed container or flush it down the toilet.
• Wash the bite area with soap and water and disinfect it with rubbing alcohol or iodine.
• Wash your hands well.

Not all ticks carry infectious bacteria. If you find a tick bite, watch for signs and symptoms of infection. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, see a doctor right away.