Rickettsial diseases
Rickettsial diseases are a group of bacterial infections that include spotted fevers and typhus. Many are acquired from ticks, fleas, mites, or lice. Some cause a relatively mild illness, while others can become life-threatening without early treatment. A rash or a remembered bite may be absent, so neither is required for someone to be infected.
Prevention: Behavior
Symptoms
- Fever, headache, and feeling unwell
- Muscle aches, nausea, or vomiting
- Sometimes a rash
- Sometimes a dark scab or sore at the bite site
Transmission
- Bites from infected ticks, mites, fleas, or lice, depending on the infection
- Infected insect waste or fluids entering damaged skin or the eyes
Prevention
Use suitable insect and tick repellent, wear protective clothing, and check your body for ticks after outdoor activities. Limit contact with rodents, roaming animals, and their parasites.
Traveler risk
Risk varies by destination and activity, including hiking, camping, safaris, and close contact with animals.
Diagnosis and care
Early antibiotic treatment is important. Seek prompt care for fever after a possible exposure and mention your travel and outdoor activities; treatment may need to begin before test results return.
Source
- Rickettsial Diseases
Based on CDC information
Source language: English
Source reviewed: April 23, 2025
Source accessed: May 17, 2026
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