Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
en español: Fiebre maculosa de las montañas Rocosas
Medically reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD
What Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial infection. People get it from the bite of an infected tick. Most infections happen in the spring and summer, when ticks are active.
Doctors treat RMSF with . With prompt treatment, most people recover in a few days. If it's not treated, RMSF can be life-threatening.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
RMSF gets its name from the trademark rash it causes. Small red spots and blotches begin on the wrists and ankles, then spread to the palms and soles, and up the arms and legs toward the trunk.