Key points
- Colorado tick fever is primarily spread by the bite of an infected tick.
- Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, body aches, and feeling tired.
- No vaccines or medicines are available to prevent or treat Colorado tick fever.
- You can reduce your risk of infection by preventing tick bites.
Overview
Colorado tick fever is a rare disease caused by a virus that is primarily spread by infected ticks in the western United States and western Canada.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms are fever, chills, headache, body aches, and feeling tired. Most people who get sick have mild disease and recover completely. However, weakness and fatigue may last several weeks. In rare cases, some patients may develop more severe illness that affects the central nervous system.
How it spreads
Colorado tick fever virus spreads to people through the bites of infected Rocky Mountain wood ticks (Dermacentor andersoni).
Prevention
No vaccines or medicines are available to prevent Colorado tick fever. Reduce your risk of infection from Colorado tick fever virus by preventing tick bites.
Testing and diagnosis
See your healthcare provider if you have symptoms after being exposed to ticks in an area where Colorado Tick Fever virus spreads.
Treatment
No medicines are available to treat Colorado tick fever. Antibiotics do not treat viruses. Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medications may relieve some symptoms. People with severe Colorado tick fever may need to be hospitalized for intravenous fluids and medicines to reduce pain and fever.
For healthcare providers: Treatment and Prevention of Colorado Tick Fever