Although news reports have indicated there has been an increase in Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever this year, it doesn’t appear to be the case locally.
Mary Tooms, an epidemiologist with the Purchase Area District Health Department, reported there were two confirmed cases of the fever in the Purchase area from 2006-2007.
“In 2008, three probable cases were reported, but they were unable to be confirmed,” she said.
None of those were in Fulton or Hickman County, Tooms reported. She said the cases this year were unconfirmed because the labs doing the testing did not have enough evidence to confirm the cases. Some people save the ticks in pastic bags or in a bottle of alcohol, just in case a sample is needed.
But doctors are advising doctors not to wait until a case is confirmed, better to treat the symptoms to get a jump start on it if it is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
The Rocky Mountian Spotted Fever is a bacteria infection transmitted from ticks. Tooms said the symptoms people have from the fever show up about a week after a tick bite.
“There is an accute onset of fever (often 103 to 105 degrees), headache, weakness, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, and people often have a rash – usually on the palms of the hand or bottom of the feet,” Tooms said.
“Absolutely anyone with these symptoms should go to the doctor,” she said. If ignored, the bacteria attacks other areas of the body, and if left untreated, could become fatal.
Anyone who has to be outdoors in the spring or summer, when ticks are more active, should wear long pants and sleeves, tucking the pants into tall boots or into the socks, she said.
A hat wouldn’t be bad either, since ticks can drop from trees and tall bushes People should check themselves and their animals, especially after being in tall grass and woods.
Tooms suggests wearing light colored clothing since ticks will show up better.
