LymeNet Flash: Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever

This is topic Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever in forum General Support at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Hagen (Member # 948) on :

Know this is a little off target of Lyme - but just had a friend's 4 year old son diagnosed with Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever. Since we've all concentrated so hard on the Lyme disease, I haven't kept up with the things between these two diagnosis that are similar and the treatments and prognosis. Could someone help me get straight to a good support area so send to this very concerned parent? They called me because of my history - I'm so thankful they did get a diagnosis and very soon from the sound of it - and I "think" this disease is a little more accepted that Lyme.

Thank you for your help.

Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :

Hey hey..

Sorry to hear a little one has been hit with this nasty disease. Below are some notes from "Overlooked Infections Associated With Lyme Disease".

A couple of things I want to mention.

RMSF can become chronic if not treated promptly and properly. It can also be fatal.

Doxycycline has been the drug of choice for just about forever.. however.. with a young child.. they may try another antibiotic?

If the child was diagnosed with RMSF.. I would advise the parents to also have the child checked later for Lyme and co-infections. Testing now won't help because it is too soon. But we don't want to miss an underlying infection.

The child should have NO trouble being treated for RMSF. If they do.. please let me know. I will help in any way I can.

Normally treatment that is done properly and promptly is very successful.

Be sure the parents do what they can to prevent another tick exposure... especially if the child got it in their yard.

Hope this helps.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever:

RMSF is a rickettsial disease normally presenting with a sudden onset
of fever, chills, fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, and conjunctivitis. A
spotted rash may appear on the hands and feet in about 50% of cases.
Delay in treatment may result in death or a chronic illness which can affect the brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs, kidneys, or liver. Chronic cases of RMSF may also cause a loss of bladder or bowel control, blood
clotting problems, partial paralysis, hearing loss, congestive heart
failure, movement disorders, and respiratory distress syndrome. The fatality rate can reach 20% in untreated cases.

Treatment: The most common treatment for RMSF is Doxycycline which should be started immediately if this disease is suspected.

Posted by mussec (Member # 6521) on :

If it were my child and he's in an endemic area, I'd ask the doc to be sure he had the test for Lyme as well. I had a friend who had RMSF and Lyme at the same time (presumably from the same nasty little tick). Had a nasty time getting better!

Posted by ConnieMc (Member # 191) on :

Make sure this is addressed thoroughly. I have a friend and ducks told her she had the flu and kept sending her home. Finally, after getting sicker by the day, ended up in ER. Was very sick, they thought she would not make it. Her organs were shutting down. She was in ICU for weeks and in rehab for months. She still has residual symptoms, and I wonder if she doesn't have other tick-borne illnesses. Sure fits.

But ducks here in my state, where RMSF is most prevalent, didn't even consider it, and she nearly died as a result.

This can be very serious if not treated promptly, so make sure things happen quickly. And that the ducks consider other tick-borne diseases.

Good luck!

Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :

Check this link: http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic510.htm .
I think their stuff is usually ok.
DaveS