With the weather warming up, and after months of being stuck indoors, we are all ready to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. However, before going straight to the hiking trails, camping sites, and ball fields, there are important health risks you should be aware of. One of them is the risk of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), which has seen cases increase almost every year since the 2000's.
What Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
RMSF is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted through the bites of infected ticks. Certain ticks like the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and Brown dog tick may carry the bacteria, Rickettsia rickettsii. This bacteria can enter your bloodstream and negatively affect your body.
People may experience the following symptoms up to 7-10 days after an infected bite:
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Muscle Aches
- Non itchy, red rash that starts on your wrists or ankles
- Confusion
- Nausea and Vomiting
Unfortunately, unlike Lyme Disease, RMSF can even become deadly if it is not treated properly and early enough. In fact, clinical studies show that up to 10% of RMSF cases are fatal. Death can occur as soon as 8 days after the infection begins, so it's vital to get proper care if you suspect that there is even a small chance that you have RMSF.
Since many of the symptoms are similar to the flu, it's sometimes hard to diagnose. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that is the recommended western medicine standard for the treatment of suspected RMSF cases. If treatment is started within 5 days of the infection, fatal outcomes are very unlikely.
What Does Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Do To Your Body?
If your bacterial infection goes untreated, it can cause serious health issues, affecting multiple areas of your body. The infection may impact the lining of your small blood vessels, which can cause clots or leaks. RMSF could cause kidney failure, brain inflammation (causing confusion and seizures), or heart failure if not treated quickly enough.
Who Is At A Higher Risk For Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Since ticks love woody, brushy, or grassy environments, people who are around these areas are more at risk. This certain type of tick-borne illness is more prominent in the south and southwest area of the United States, with Missouri being a common location for this disease.
The ticks that carry this disease also latch onto dogs at a high rate. So if you have dogs, especially ones that run through the yard and woods, be sure to check them for ticks on a regular basis.
Prevention is Key to RMSF
- Wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts while in those high-risk areas
- If you are hiking, stay on the trail and avoid walking in the high brush or grassy sections
- Check your body as soon as you come indoors
- Check your pets for ticks routinely
- Be extra cautious during the months of May through August
- Remove the tick as soon as possible to prevent it from digging even deeper
- Remove the tick without squeezing it; use tweezers to get the entire tick out
- Use non-toxic tick repellent if needed
Ways to Manage Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Symptoms Naturally
Soothe Sore Muscles and Aches:
- Magnesium, aids in relaxation
- Potassium, helps with cramping
- Calcium, helps with relaxation
- Rub essential oils like peppermint oil and cypress oil combined with coconut oil on the sore muscle areas
Reduce The Severity of Your Headaches:
- Drink lots of fluids, but avoid sugary drinks
- Try an essential oil diffuser with lavender or peppermint oils
- Spinal adjustments