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, which is another common tick-borne disease, RMSF can even become deadly if it is not treated properly and early enough with the right treatment. 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. If you notice any ticks on you, especially any bites, it’s essential that you share this information with your doctor. A lab test can show if you have the infection or not, but sometimes a lab test isn’t performed fast enough because your symptoms could be misinterpreted as side effects of something else. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that is the recommended western medicine standard for the  treatment of suspected RMSF cases. However, antimicrobial herbs can also be used, especially with longer term infections. 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. Since your kidneys, which filter waste from your blood, contain a bunch of small vessels in order to be able to function properly, RMSF could cause kidney failure if not treated quickly enough.

It can also cause inflammation throughout the body. If inflammation occurs in your brain, it could cause confusion, seizures, and headaches. If it inflames areas of your lungs or heart, it could cause heart failure or breathing issues.

One study showed how RMSF fatalities resulted from the consequences of sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, multisystem organ failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

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. So if you garden, hunt, hike, camp, or play ball in a big grassy field, you are at a higher risk for tick bites and therefore contracting RMSF. Also, 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 as they could increase your chances of getting bit as well. 

Also, be aware that if you get bit and become infected, people who have immunosuppressive conditions or those who struggle with alcoholism or chronic lung disease (CLD), have a higher fatality rate than others. 

Prevention is Key to RMSF

While there is a treatment for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, as stated above (antimicrobial herbs or antibiotics), preventing the disease in the first place is what everyone should aim for. Because diagnosis could be overlooked and serious health concerns could arise, focusing on prevention is essential for avoiding RMSF transmission. 

Here are a couple of prevention tips that you can start practicing now:

• Wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts while in those high-risk areas. If it’s hot outside, there are many lightweight clothing options available that you can wear. 

• 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. You may want someone else to check areas that you can’t see. 

• Check your pets for ticks routinely. 

• Be extra cautious during the months of May through August as it seems that there are more incidents during these summer months. 

• Remove the tick as soon as possible to prevent it from digging even deeper and increasing the rate of the bacteria transmission. 

• Remove the tick without squeezing it. Remove carefully to get the entire tick out. Tweezers may be a good tool to use. 

• Use non-toxic tick repellent if needed, but please be aware no repellent is 100% effective.

Ways to Manage Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Symptoms Naturally 

Soothe Sore Muscles & 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 like sodas and fruit juices that contain added sugars. 

• Try an essential oil diffuser with lavender or peppermint oils (be sure to get high-quality essential oils for best results)

• Spinal adjustments to reduce frequency and severity

Get Nausea and Vomiting Relief

• Ginger essential oils, ginger tea, or juice (no added sugars) can help

• Vitamin B6

• Inhale the scent of fresh lemons

• Get fresh air by opening your windows or sitting outside for a bit

A functional medicine clinic can help with some of the symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Dr. Jaban Moore, functional medicine provider, located in Kansas City, can help you if you think you have been infected with RMSF. They offer functional medicine based, natural support for chronic illnesses as well as many other services. They can also recommend specific antimicrobial herbs to help your symptoms. Please reach out as soon as possible, as this is a serious disease if not treated quickly. For an even quicker response, you can give the office a call at (816) 889-9801.