What to know
- Information about epidemiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics, treatment, and diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is included.
- An instructional video and companion learning tools can be used as references.
- Content is relevant to healthcare providers and public health professionals.
About this toolkit
This toolkit provides important information about RMSF for healthcare providers and public health practitioners. It includes epidemiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics, treatment, and diagnosis of RMSF. An instructional video and companion learning tools can be used as references.
What's included
The following elements are included:
- Resources:
- Interactive training module – Take an online course.
- Physician pocket card – Download and print.
- Tickborne diseases of the United States manual – Download.
- Training videos – View online.
- Clinical timeline – Download and print.
- Interactive training module – Take an online course.
- Additional education and training
- Additional clinical resources
- Publications
Resources
The interactive web-based training module, Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment for Healthcare Providers, is designed to increase knowledge and change competency of RMSF practices and strategies. Free continuing education is awarded when requested.
A PDF-format quick reference card to download and print. It includes key facts about the clinical diagnosis and treatment of RMSF.
Version: English
A PDF-format manual for healthcare providers for tickborne diseases throughout the United States. This document highlights transmission, epidemiology, clinical, diagnostic, and treatment. Sixth edition, 2022.
Version: English
RMSF training video
This RMSF training video discusses the clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. The video provides information to help frontline healthcare providers recognize and treat this rapidly progressive, fatal disease.
Version: Spanish subtitled
Rickettsial disease diagnostic testing and interpretation
This video provides information on rickettsial disease diagnostic methods for healthcare providers. It includes what tests are available and when it is most appropriate to collect samples. This video focuses on the use of polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) tests, and the indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assay for rickettsial disease diagnosis.
Download: Rickettsial Disease Diagnostic Testing and Interpretation Fact Sheet
Videos to review:
- A Leopard without spots: Clinical diagnosis and treatment of Rocky Mountain spotted fever – Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity webinar, April 12, 2018.
- Doxycycline safe for all ages – Medscape May 26, 2015.
- Demma LJ, Traeger MS, Nicholson WL, et al. Rocky Mountain spotted fever from an unexpected tick vector in Arizona. N Engl J Med 2005;353:587–94.
- Elghetany MT, Walker DH. Hemostatic changes in Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Mediterranean spotted fever. Am J Clin Pathol 1999;112:159–68.
- Holman RC, Paddock CD, Curns AT, et al. Analysis of risk factors for fatal Rocky Mountain spotted fever: evidence for superiority of tetracyclines for therapy. J Infect Dis 2001;184:1437–44.
- Kirkland KB, Wilkinson WE, Sexton DJ. Therapeutic delay and mortality in cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Clin Infect Dis 1995;20:1118–21.
- Massey EW, Thames T, Coffey CE, et al. Neurologic complications of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. South Med J 1985;78:1288–90, 1303.
- Paddock CD, Alvarez-Herandez G. Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain spotted fever). In: Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017. p. 952-957.
- Regan JJ, Traeger MS, Humpherys D, et al. Risk factors for fatal outcome from Rocky Mountain spotted fever in a highly endemic area—Arizona, 2002–2011. Clin Infect Dis 2015;60:1659–66.
- Smithee L, et al. Public health reporting and national notification for spotted fever rickettsiosis (including Rocky Mountain spotted fever). Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Infectious Diseases Committee, 2009 Position Statement
- Todd SR, Dahlgren FS, et al. No visible dental staining in children treated with doxycycline for suspected Rocky Mountain spotted fever. J Pediatr 2015;166(5):1246-51
- Traeger MS, Regan JJ, Humpherys D, et al. Rocky Mountain spotted fever characterization and comparison to similar illnesses in a highly endemic area—Arizona, 2002–2011. Clin Infect Dis 2015;60:1650–8.