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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
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    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)

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    Close up image of an American Dog Tick.

    RMSF

    One of the deadliest tickborne diseases in the Americas

    Learn more

    Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. Most people who get sick with RMSF will have a fever, headache, and rash. RMSF can be deadly if not treated early with the right antibiotic.

    Transmission
    Signs and Symptoms
    Diagnosis and Testing
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    Doxycycline and Tooth Staining
    Resources

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    Key Resources
    • Epidemiology and Statistics
    • Communications Resources
    • Toolkit for Healthcare Providers
    • MMWR Diagnosis and Management of Tickborne Rickettsial Diseases pdf icon[PDF – 48 pages]
    • Tickborne Diseases Manual

    MMWR Diagnosis and Management of Tickborne Rickettsial Diseases: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses, Ehrlichioses, and Anaplasmosis - United States

    MMWR – Diagnosis and Management of Tickborne Rickettsial Diseases: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses, Ehrlichioses, and Anaplasmosis — United States pdf icon[PDF – 48 pages]

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    Avoid ticks
    There is no vaccine for RMSF. The first step for preventing this devastating disease is to prevent tick bites.
    Clip art image of a tick being pulled from skin by a pair of tweezers.
    Remove ticks
    If you find a tick attached to your skin, there’s no need to panic—the key is to remove the tick as soon as possible.
    Map of the U.S. showing where American dog ticks can be found. They can be located in the eastern half of the U.S. and California.
    Where ticks live
    Not all ticks bite and transmit disease to people. Find out what which ticks are spreading disease in your area.
    Page last reviewed: May 7, 2019
    Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) , Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD)
    homeRocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
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      • Transmission and Epidemiology
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    • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can be Deadly
    • Epidemiology and Statistics
    • For Public Health Officials
    • Research on doxycycline and tooth staining
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      • Communications Resources
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      • Toolkit for Healthcare Providers
      • Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Module for Healthcare Providers with Continuing Education
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