Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Prevention consists of avoidance of tick bites and prompt removal of attached ticks. Tick attachment of less than a few hours is less likely to transmit rickettsial pathogens. During spring and summer, people and pets who have been outdoors should be examined daily for ticks. Attached ticks should be removed by grasping with tweezers close to the skin and pulling gently with steady pressure. Insect repellents containing 20% to 30% DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are effective for preventing tick bites and are quite safe when used appropriately. Spraying clothing with permethrin also decreases the likelihood of tick attachment.[1]Biggs HM, Behravesh CB, Bradley KK, et al. Diagnosis and management of tickborne rickettsial diseases: Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other spotted fever group rickettsioses, ehrlichioses, and anaplasmosis - United States. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2016;65:1-44. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/rr6502a1.htm http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27172113?tool=bestpractice.com

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a notifiable disease in the US. Prevention practices still apply to individuals who have recovered from RMSF. Such individuals are immune to R rickettsii, but may remain susceptible to other tickborne infections. Prevention consists of avoidance of tick bites and prompt removal of attached ticks.