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By Mayo Clinic staffIf detected in its early stages, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be most successfully treated with medication. Left untreated, the infection can spread from the site of the bite via your bloodstream, potentially causing infection in other areas of your body. Rocky Mountain spotted fever may cause serious complications involving your joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, and central and peripheral nervous system, such as:
- Heart, lung or kidney failure
- An infection of the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
- Brain damage
- Problems with blood clotting
- Gangrene and possible amputation of fingers, toes, arms or legs
- Shock
In a small percentage of cases, Rocky Mountain spotted fever causes death, usually because treatment is delayed or is never sought.
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- Removing ticks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/tick_removal.html. Accessed Aug. 3, 2009.