Rickettsiosis: the tick-borne disease keeping Coahuila on alert

Over the past year, Coahuila has recorded dozens of rickettsiosis cases, including deaths of children, and northern Mexico remains on alert. The news is frightening, but one thing is worth keeping clear: this disease is preventable and, when caught early, very treatable. The danger is failing to recognize it.

What is rickettsiosis?

It's an infection caused by a bacterium (rickettsia) spread mainly through the bite of ticks that previously fed on an infected animal, often dogs. It does not spread from person to person. That's why pets and overgrown yards are key points to watch.

Symptoms: what to watch for

Signs usually appear 5 to 10 days after the bite, and at first they look like other infections. Pay attention if you have:

• A high fever that comes on suddenly.
• An intense headache.
• Muscle pain and strong general malaise.
• A rash or small red spots on the skin (may start on the wrists and ankles).
• Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.

The key clue is recent contact with ticks or pets with ticks in the days before. If a fever comes with that history, don't wait.

Most important: act fast

This is the difference between a scare and a serious complication: rickettsiosis responds very well to antibiotic treatment when it's started early, and that early start dramatically lowers the risk. So with a fever and a history of a tick bite, the right move is to see a doctor that same day for evaluation and, if appropriate, treatment. Don't self-medicate or wait to see if it passes on its own.

How to prevent it

There is no vaccine, so prevention means avoiding bites:

• Check your children after they play in grass, brush, or weedy areas, especially the scalp, behind the ears, and in skin folds.
• Keep your pets free of ticks and check them often; your vet can recommend suitable products.
• Keep the yard trimmed and clear of weeds and clutter.
• Wear covering clothing and an appropriate repellent when heading into vegetated areas.
• If you find an attached tick, remove it carefully as soon as possible and watch for fever in the following days.

We're close when you need us

Recognizing rickettsiosis early completely changes the outcome. At AVA Médica we offer walk-in care 7 days a week and have a lab on site, so if a tick bit you and you have a fever, we can check you promptly and give you peace of mind.