Colorado Tick Fever: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Colorado tick fever, also known as mountain tick fever or American mountain fever, is a viral infection caused by the Colorado tick fever virus. Transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, primarily the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), this condition is limited to Canada and the western United States, with Colorado reporting the highest prevalence. The virus is most active between February and October, with 90 percent of cases occurring between April and July.
Diagnosis involves a physical examination and laboratory tests such as the complement fixation antibody test, complete blood count, and liver function tests. Symptoms typically manifest within three to six days after a tick bite and may include sudden high fever, severe headache, light sensitivity, muscle aches, skin tenderness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, fatigue, and a faint rash. Other diseases with similar symptoms, like Lyme disease or West Nile fever, must be ruled out. Although there is no specific treatment, and most people recover fully without complications, severe cases may require hospitalization. Recovery usually takes about 10 days.
Colorado tick fever is a viral infection transmitted through a tick bite, with symptoms including high fever, headache, and muscle aches. It's most common in the western United States and Canada between April and July. While there's no specific treatment, prompt medical attention is crucial for proper diagnosis and management.
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