CAUSES Rocky Mountain Spotted fever is caused by a species of bacteria called Rickettsia rickettsii. It is spread when organisms that cause Rocky Mountain Spotted fever are transmitted through ticks that bite. Most people get Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, or RMSF because they camp near ticks and wear shorts and tank tops. The American dog tick and Rocky Mountain wood tick are the primary vectors that transmit RMSF in the United States of America. "The brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus has also been implicated as a vector as well as the tick Amblyomma cajennense in countries south of the United States." says CDC news.(CDC stands for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

SPREAD Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is spread through ticks that carry organisms. The organisms carry the RMSF bacteria that causes it. Although Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is very rare, it is deadly. Some symptoms that occur are: rashes, fevers, and dizziness. Sometimes, people get Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from pets with tick bites. It is important to check for ticks on your body and make sure that pets do not have ticks. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is not a contagious disease that animals and humans can get directly from each other. But, if an animal or human carries ticks, another animal or human can get the infected ticks and get RMSF.

PREVENTION Right now, there is no vaccine available for prevention of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. This disease is the one most frequently reported in the United States. The best way to limit the chances of getting RMSF is to limit exposure to ticks. People can wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when out in the wilderness or outside. Also, prompt inspection for ticks is recommended. To prevent ticks from getting transmitted from your pet to you, talk to your veterinarian.

TREATMENT  If there is a tick on you, use fine-tipped tweezers or a notched tick extractor. Protect your fingers by using tissues, paper towels, or latex gloves. Grasp the tick as close to skin as possible and pull gently upward. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as the mouth parts may stay in the skin if you do. After removing the tick from your body, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and disinfect the bite. Be sure to not squeeze or puncture the tick, because it's fluids may contain infectious organisms. If the skin is exposed to tick fluids, iodine scrub, rubbing alcohol, or "water containing detergents" can remove or disinfect the skin.