Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of ticks carrying a bacterium. It is a condition that requires timely care because of its ability to affect several organs.

Common symptoms: It usually begins with fever, headache and general malaise, followed in many cases by a rash on the skin that can spread across the body.

When to see a doctor? With fever and rash after a tick bite or a stay in rural or wooded areas, care should be prompt; cases with intense symptoms warrant going to the emergency room.

Which specialist treats it? The infectious disease specialist is the one who studies this type of infection, with support from the dermatologist for the skin lesions and from the emergency physician in acute cases; the general practitioner can guide the initial visit. If you have these symptoms after a possible exposure, the prudent thing is to seek an evaluation without delay.