Treatment

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Some spotted fevers are not life-threatening and can resolve over time, even without treatment. For others, especially RMSF, early treatment with the antibiotic doxycycline can be lifesaving.

Doxycycline is the recommended antibiotic treatment for all spotted fevers, including RMSF in adults and children of all ages.

Doxycycline saves lives banner. Doxycycline is the number 1 recommended treatment for suspected rickettsial infections in patients of all ages.
Page last reviewed: January 18, 2019
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD)