The tick must attach and feed on blood for approximately 4-6 hours to cause infection in humans. Person to person spread of this illness does not occur. Most cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever occur from April to September. Typically, there is sudden onset of moderate to high fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, body aches, and chills. Within a few days of illness a rash begins on arms and legs, particularly around wrists, palms, soles, and ankles, and quickly spreads to trunk, neck and face.
Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of the bite of an infected tick.
The illness can last several weeks and become severe if not treated promptly. Death is uncommon when diagnosis and treatment are prompt. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can be treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline or chloramphenicol. Antibiotic treatment is more successful if the illness is treated within the first week of symptoms. When outdoors in tick infested areas, such as woods and tall grass, check clothing and skin frequently for ticks.