Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. Most people who get sick with RMSF will have a fever, headache, and rash. RMSF can be deadly if not treated early with the right antibiotic.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is one of several diseases caused by the spotted fever group rickettsia, which are a type of bacteria. Other causes of spotted fever group rickettsioses (spotted fevers) in the United States include:
- Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis, caused by R. parkeri
- Pacific Coast tick fever, caused by Rickettsia philipii
- Rickettsialpox, caused by Rickettsia akari
These diseases have similar signs and symptoms, including fever, headache, and rash, but are often less severe than RMSF.
Related Tick Topics
Avoiding Ticks
Avoid getting infected…On CDC’s Ticks website
Tick Lifecycle and Hosts
How ticks spread disease…On CDC’s Ticks website
Removing a Tick
How to remove a tick…On CDC’s Ticks website
Other Diseases Caused by Ticks
Learn more about other tickborne diseases that can affect your health…On CDC’s Ticks website
- Page last reviewed: November 4, 2010
- Page last updated: June 26, 2017
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