Colorado Tick Fever

Tick borne disease: Colorado tick fever

Also known as: Mountain tick fever, American tick fever, Rocky Mountain tick fever

Disease Agent: Colorado tick fever virus

Infectious Bite Time: Required bite time is unknown, more research is needed to determine how long a Colorado tick fever infected tick must remain attached to you and feeding before the disease is transmitted

Incubation Period: the onset of impacts from Colorado tick fever will begin 5 to 14 days after infection

Common Signs and Symptoms: Colorado tick fever symptoms include high fever, chills, headache, severe muscle ache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, diarrhea, anorexia, rash, mental confusion, weakness, fatigue, light sensitivity, skin tenderness

Serious Complications: encephalitis, meningitis, death (extremely rare)

Treatment Options: Health care options may be available. There is no specific known treatment for Colorado tick fever. Colorado tick fever symptoms may lessen or go away on their own. If you believe you have contracted Colorado tick fever consult a medical professional, early diagnosis is essential to preventing serious complications, delaying treatment can make a bad situation worse, resulting in escalated symptom severity or even death.

Notes and Facts: Colorado tick fever is a serious condition. The elderly and those with weakened immune systems may be at a higher risk for serious complications from this disease. Males and females have been equally affected by this condition, statistically. Instances of Colorado tick fever are most common in the Western United States in states such as Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. You cannot simply look at a tick and determine if it is infected with Colorado tick fever, if a tick is attached to you learn how to remove a tick and keep the tick, it can be tested for Colorado tick fever. Use Tick Proof to prevent future attacks.

What ticks transmit Colorado tick fever? Rocky Mountain wood tick

Primary Vector: Rocky Mountain wood tick

Number of infections reported per year, United States: 10+ (extremely rare).

Total infections may be substantially higher than reported as symptoms usually resolve on their own.

The Rocky Mountain wood tick (below) transmits Colorado tick fever.