Rocky Mountain spotted fever, sometimes referred to as tick typhus, is an acute illness first identified in the Rocky Mountain region. It is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, which is spread by ixodid ticks with hard shells. This disease is found exclusively in the Western Hemisphere. Those who visit areas where these ticks are prevalent are at risk of contracting RMSF. Symptoms begin suddenly and include headache, high fever, chills, muscle pain, followed by a rash. The rickettsiae multiply within the damaged cells of blood vessel linings, potentially leading to blockages due to clots, and widespread inflammation of these vessels occurs. Early detection and treatment of RMSF are crucial to lowering the risk of death. Edward Ernest Maxey, an ear, nose, and throat specialist, was the first to describe the disease in 1899. In 1906, Howard Taylor Ricketts, a researcher, demonstrated that the disease is transmitted through tick bites, and the causative agent was subsequently named Rickettsia rickettsii in his honor. This illness is also known by other names, including spotted fever and tick fever.
