Fever Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a serious rickettsial disease that is transmitted by several different species of ticks. Man usually contracts the illness either from the bite of an infective tick or by crushing infected ticks between his fingers. The initial symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever are flu-like headaches, fever, chills, and muscle aches. A rash often appears a few days later. This disease can be fatal, so prompt medical care is important.
People can protect themselves by avoiding tick bites and by keeping pets tick-free.
Prompt removal of attached ticks, using tweezers, may prevent disease transmission.