Rocky Mountain Tick Fever (Rickettsia rickettsii / रॉकी माउंटेन टिक फीवर) एक tick-borne infectious disease (केंचुए से फैलने वाला संक्रमण) है।
- यह disease Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria के कारण होती है।
- Tick के काटने के माध्यम से मनुष्य में फैलती है।
- यह अमेरिका में खासकर Rocky Mountain region और surrounding areas में ज्यादा common है।
Untreated cases में यह life-threatening भी हो सकती है।
Rocky Mountain Tick Fever क्या है (What is Rocky Mountain Tick Fever)
- Bacterial infection transmitted through tick bite
- Causes fever, rash, headache, and muscle pain
- Primarily affects blood vessels, leading to vasculitis
- Severe untreated cases में organ failure और neurological complications हो सकते हैं
Rocky Mountain Tick Fever कारण (Causes of Rocky Mountain Tick Fever)
1. Tick Bite (Primary Cause)
- Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick)
- Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick)
2. Bacterial Pathogen
- Rickettsia rickettsii – Gram-negative, intracellular bacteria
3. Risk Factors
- Living or traveling in endemic areas
- Outdoor activities – hiking, camping, gardening
- Pets carrying ticks
Disease transmission occurs when infected tick remains attached for 6–10 hours.
Rocky Mountain Tick Fever लक्षण (Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Tick Fever)
- High fever (102–104°F / 38.9–40°C)
- Severe headache
- Rash (maculopapular) – begins 2–5 days after fever, starts at wrists/ankles, spreads to trunk
- Muscle pain (myalgia) and joint pain (arthralgia)
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
- Fatigue, malaise
- Rarely – confusion, seizures, organ dysfunction in severe cases
Rash may become petechial in advanced infection (tiny red or purple spots).
Rocky Mountain Tick Fever कैसे पहचाने (Diagnosis of Rocky Mountain Tick Fever)
- Medical History – recent tick exposure, outdoor activities
- Physical Examination – fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes
- Blood Tests
- CBC – thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
- Liver function tests – elevated ALT/AST
- Serology / PCR – detect Rickettsia rickettsii antibodies or DNA
- Differential Diagnosis – dengue, measles, meningococcemia, other tick-borne infections
Early diagnosis critical है क्योंकि delay in treatment increases mortality।
Rocky Mountain Tick Fever इलाज (Treatment of Rocky Mountain Tick Fever)
1. Antibiotics (Primary Treatment)
- Doxycycline – drug of choice for adults and children
- Chloramphenicol – alternative if doxycycline contraindicated
- Treatment usually 7–14 days
2. Supportive Care
- Hydration – prevent dehydration
- Fever management – paracetamol / antipyretics
- Pain relief – NSAIDs for myalgia / arthralgia
3. Hospitalization (Severe Cases)
- Severe infection – organ dysfunction, neurological involvement
- ICU monitoring – fluid, electrolytes, organ support
Early antibiotic therapy significantly reduces mortality and complications।
रोकथाम (Prevention of Rocky Mountain Tick Fever)
- Avoid tick-infested areas – tall grass, forests
- Wear long sleeves, pants, socks while outdoors
- Use tick repellents – DEET-based sprays
- Check body and pets for ticks after outdoor activity
- Remove attached ticks promptly and properly using fine-tipped tweezers
सावधानियाँ (Precautions)
- Tick bite पर rash या fever ignore न करें
- Self-medication antibiotics बिना doctor advice न लें
- Severe symptoms – vomiting, confusion, rash spreading rapidly – immediate medical attention जरूरी
- Children, elderly, immunocompromised individuals higher risk में
FAQs (अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न)
Q1. Rocky Mountain Tick Fever contagious है?
नहीं, यह केवल infected tick bite से फैलती है, व्यक्ति से व्यक्ति में नहीं।
Q2. Tick कितने समय में disease transmit करती है?
Usually 6–10 hours attachment के बाद bacteria transmit होता है।
Q3. क्या यह गंभीर हो सकती है?
हाँ, untreated cases में organ failure, neurological complications, और death भी हो सकती है।
Q4. क्या बच्चों में doxycycline सुरक्षित है?
हाँ, short-course treatment children में भी recommended है, क्योंकि benefits outweigh risks।
निष्कर्ष (Conclusion)
Rocky Mountain Tick Fever (रॉकी माउंटेन टिक फीवर) एक serious bacterial infection है जिसे tick bite से फैलता है।
Early recognition, prompt doxycycline therapy, supportive care और preventive measures से इसके गंभीर परिणाम और mortality को कम किया जा सकता है।
यदि tick-exposed व्यक्ति में fever, rash या severe headache दिखाई दे, तो तुरंत physician या infectious disease specialist से सलाह लें।