Rocky Mountain spotted fever medical therapy

Rocky Mountain spotted fever Microchapters
Home
Patient Info
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Epidemiology & Demographics
Risk Factors
Causes
Differentiating Rocky Mountain spotted fever from other Diseases
Natural History, Complications & Prognosis
Diagnosis
History & Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest X-Ray
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Prevention
Case Studies
Case #1
Rocky Mountain spotted fever medical therapy On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Rocky Mountain spotted fever medical therapy All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Rocky Mountain spotted fever medical therapy
CDC on Rocky Mountain spotted fever medical therapy
Rocky Mountain spotted fever medical therapy in the news
Blogs on Rocky Mountain spotted fever medical therapy
Directions to Hospitals Treating Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Risk calculators and risk factors for Rocky Mountain spotted fever medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sujit Routray, M.D. [2]

Overview

The mainstay of therapy for rocky mountain spotted fever is doxycycline. Pharmacologic therapy for Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) includes either Doxycycline or Chloramphenicol.

Medical Therapy

• Doxycycline is the mainstay of therapy for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Use of antibiotics other than doxycycline is associated with a higher risk of fatal outcome.
• Treatment is most effective at preventing death if doxycycline is started in the first 5 days of symptoms.
• Empirical antibiotic therapy should be initiated immediately when there is a suspicion of Rocky Mountain spotted fever on the basis of clinical and epidemiologic findings.
• Treatment should not be delayed until laboratory confirmation is obtained.
• If the patient is treated within the first 4-5 days of the disease, fever generally subsides within 24-72 hours.
• Failure to respond to doxycycline argues against a diagnosis of RMSF.
• Severely ill patients may require longer periods before their fever resolves, especially if they have experienced damage to multiple organ systems.
• Preventive therapy in non-ill patients who have had recent tick bites is not recommended and may, in fact, only delay the onset of disease.

Antimicrobial regimens

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever

• 1. Adults

• Preferred regimen: Doxycycline 100 mg PO q12h for 7-14 days
• Note: Treatment with antibiotic agents other than doxycycline is associated with worse outcomes.

• 2. Children under 45kg

• Preferred regimen: Doxycycline 2.2 mg/kg PO q12h for 7-14 days