Treatment:

Treatment involves careful removal of the tick from the skin and antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Doxycycline or tetracycline are the drugs of choice for both confirmed and suspected cases. Pregnant women may take chloramphenicol.

Note: There is concern that tetracycline and doxycycline may stain the teeth of children whose permanent teeth have not yet formed. However, tooth discoloration is very unusual when a child takes these medicines for 14 days or less. These medicines are first-line treatment, even for children.

Expectations (prognosis):

Treatment usually cures the infection. Complications are rare, but can include paralysis, hearing loss, and nerve damage. About 3% of people who get this disease will die.

Complications:

• Brain damage
• Clotting problems
• Heart failure
• Kidney failure
• Lung failure
• Meningitis
• Pneumonitis (lung inflammation)
• Shock

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms after exposure to ticks or a tick bite. The complications of untreated Rocky Mountain spotted fever are often life threatening.