LymeNet Flash: Rocky Mountain SPOTLESS Fever?

This is topic Rocky Mountain SPOTLESS Fever? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Cold Feet (Member # 9882) on :

Yes, that's what I said...a new one for me!
(otherwise known as erlichia...?)

Mystery illness in Franklin County boy from tick bite

Click here.

Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :

Yes, I have it......

Shalome

Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :

Sometimes Ehrlichia does cause spots... but it is rare. I had spots with mine.

I sure wish they wouldn't have called it RM SPOTLESS Fever and not given it the actual name.

Glad they found the cause... and the boy is better.

2 died from this in Virginia in one year, several years ago, because it wasn't treated properly and quickly. I believe they were both college age students.

SO sad.

Thanks for posting this video. Glad the news reporters in VA are keeping up with tick borne diseases.

[Big Grin]

Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :

I tested positive for RMSF and I never had a spotted rash. I don't think I have Erlichia.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Erlichia and RMSF are two different things, aren't they???

Posted by MarsyNY (Member # 7766) on :

Hi Lymetoo, yes two different things. RM "spotless" fever is Ricketssia not ehrlichia.

5% of children with RMSF do not get the rash, spots, 10-15% of adults do not get the rash.

Tincup Ill try to find you an artlicle. Since it is actually RMSF makes sense to keep the name.

http://wiki.medpedia.com/Rocky_Mountain_Spotted_Fever

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1520791

Posted by lightparfait (Member # 22022) on :

My daughter had RMSF and no spots!

Also, the CDC says there are no RMSF cases reported in NJ...they are wrong!

Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :

News to me, to have Rocky Mountain spotless fever -

What's next? Rocky Outcrop Spotted Fever?

Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :

Erhlichia also has two forms.

HME and HGE

I have the HME type. So many of the symptoms are the same as lyme that is is really hard to distingish.

I am not sure if my fatigue is from the HME or the lyme, but, I would sure like it to go away!!

Shalome

Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :

This is why I am sorry they called it Rocky Mountain Spotless fever. It makes it real confusing.

Yes, there are cases, quite a few, of RM Spotted Fever where folks just don't get the rash.

BUT...

The article that was posted states..

"Rocky Mountain Spotless fever is also known as Ehrlichiosis click here for more about it from the Centers for Disease Control."

So I believe they are talking about Ehrlichiosis... which IS a rickettsial parasite ... kinda like a cousin to the true RM Spotted Fever.

And yes.. there is/was an HME and HGE. But...

Then we have anaplasmosis.

You see, they have renamed the diseases to make it more confusing.

[Big Grin]

For example...

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) was previously known as human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE). So technically there is no HGE anymore.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaplasmosis

Soooooooooooo..

There is a true RMSF that, in some folks, will not cause a rash.

And...

Ehrlichiosis does cause a RM Spotted Fever LIKE rash in some people.

Then to compound the problems with identifying the diseases...

They are finding new species and strains.. some which have not even been named yet.

My solution to this mess is..

We need bubble gum machines on every street corner filled with doxy.

Each time you get a tick bite...

You put in a quarter and get a handful of doxy when you turn the knob.

Any of these diseases can (and have) killed people, especially children...

And all for the want of a handful of doxy, many lives could have been saved.

[Big Grin]

Posted by MarsyNY (Member # 7766) on :

Tincup,

Yes you are correct on this, here is another article about the boy.

Wow, I dont understand how the same name could be used for the rickettsia version and ehrlichiosis,
this is beyone confusing then.

Your solution is way too easy, the gumball doxy.

So first he had MRSA, then they thought it was toxic shock when actually the tick bite probably caused the MRSA? and no health insurance....!!!

http://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/article.cfm?ID=14091

Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :

The article said.. ""They think he probably got the MRSA infection from the bite as well," she said."

GEEZE!

IDiots to the rescue!

And generally the thought is... let's NOT treat sick kids with a few weeks of antibiotics... because we may develop resistant strains to whatever it is he has, which we don't know what it is, but just in case..

GIVE ME A BREAK!

UGGGGG!!!!

Can you tell this child ABUSE upsets me?

HOW much are the medical bills for all that time in the hospital?

How much worry did the family and child have?

They should send the bills to the DUCKS that missed the SIMPLE diagnosis... and not bill the family at all!!!

UGGGGGGG!!!!

[Eek!]

Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :

Oh.. and Marsy...

Thanks for sharing the comments and the new article.

Wanted to say that before my head explodes.

[Big Grin]

Posted by Cold Feet (Member # 9882) on :

Thanks to all of you -- I thought I was in the dark. Now realizing that I am in the twilight, and more confused -- I'll reread all this information tomorrow!

Gee whiz. [bonk]

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Cold Feet:
[QB] Yes, that's what I said...a new one for me!
(otherwise known as erlichia...?)

MarsNY.. this is why I was asking for clarification. I thought they were two different diseases.