RMSF
Medical abbreviation · Infectious Disease
| Stands for | Rocky Mountain spotted fever |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
RMSF stands for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, an infectious disease abbreviation.
Tick-borne bacterial infection caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, producing fever, headache and a rash that often starts at the wrists and ankles and spreads to the palms and soles. It can be fatal within days, so doxycycline is started on suspicion without waiting for test results.
Example: Fever, headache and petechial rash on palms after tick bite in Tennessee: treat empirically for RMSF with doxycycline.
Usage notes
Despite the name, most US cases occur in North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Doxycycline is recommended for patients of all ages, including young children, because the benefit far outweighs any risk to teeth. Outbreaks on tribal lands in Arizona have been spread by brown dog ticks. A rash is absent in some patients early on.
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.