Spotted fever can refer to:

Boutonneuse fever (also called Mediterranean Spotted Fever) is a fever as a result of a Rickettsial infection caused by the bacterium Rickettsia connorii and transmitted by the dog tick Riphicephalus sanguineus. Boutonneuse fever is endemic in many countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. After the incubation period of around 7 days, the disease begins abruptly with chills, high fevers, muscular and articular pains, severe headache and photophobia. In the place of the bite forms a black crust (tache noire) Around the 4th day of the illness an exanthem appears, first macular and then maculopapular and sometimes petechial. The diagnosis is made with serologic methods, either the classic Weill Felix test (aglutination of Proteus OX strains ), either ELISA or immunofluorescence assays. The illness is treated with chloramphenicol or doxycycline.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most severe and most frequently reported rickettsial illness in the United States, and has been diagnosed throughout the Americas. Some synonyms for Rocky Mountain spotted fever in other countries include “tick typhus,” “Tobia fever” (Colombia), “São Paulo fever” or “febre maculosa” (Brazil), and “fiebre manchada” (Mexico). The disease is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a species of bacteria that is spread to humans by hard ticks (Ixodidae). Initial signs and symptoms of the disease include sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle pain, followed by development of rash. The disease can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages, and without prompt and appropriate treatment it can be fatal.

Kits