Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Description
RMFS a cocci bacteria that must live inside of a cell. A RMFS bacteria is about 0.2 to 0.3 µm wide.
Scientific Name: Rickettsia prowazekii
How the Organism Attacks and Spreads
It is carried by ticks and when the ticks bite a human the bacteria attacks the veins that line the bone.
Most Common Victims
Mostly people working directly with livestock or meat producing industries. Males, Native Americans, and people over the age of 40 are at the highest risk of infection.
Most Common Area to be Found
The symptoms are most likely to appear as a rash on the skin.
Symptoms
Can cause typhus, fevers, headaches, abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle pain.
The Degree of Damage Caused
Can be a very severe and painful rash all over the body.
Outbreaks Per Year
6 people per million are infected with RMFS every year.
Treatment
The use of doxycycline is most effective if the treatment begins in the first 5 days of symptoms.
Other Identifying Characteristics
RMFS is an obligate intracellular bacterium of the rickettsiaeae family.