Rickettsialpox Overview
Learn About Rickettsialpox
Rickettsialpox is a disease spread by a mite. It causes a chickenpox-like rash on the body.
Rickettsia akari
Rickettsialpox is caused by the bacteria, Rickettsia akari. It is commonly found in the United States in New York City and other cities. It also has been seen in Europe, South Africa, Korea, and Russia.
The bacteria are spread by the bite of a mite that lives on mice.
The disease begins at the site of the mite bite as a painless, firm, red lump (nodule). The nodule develops into a fluid-filled blister that bursts and crusts over. This lump may be up to 1 inch (in) or 2.5 centimeters (cm) wide. These lumps usually appear on the face, trunk, arms, and legs. They do not appear on the palms of hands and soles of feet. Symptoms usually develop 6 to 15 days after coming in contact with the bacteria.
Other symptoms may include:
- Eye discomfort in bright light (photophobia)
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Rash that looks like chickenpox
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
The rash is not painful and usually clears within a week.
The goal of treatment is to cure the infection by taking antibiotics. Doxycycline is the medicine of choice. Treatment with antibiotics shortens the duration of symptoms usually to 24 to 48 hours.
Without treatment, the disease usually resolves within 7 to 10 days.
Ivan Baltadzhiev practices in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Mr. Baltadzhiev and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Rickettsialpox. His top areas of expertise are Rickettsialpox, Spotted Fever, Parapsoriasis, and Acute Tubular Necrosis.
Gerardo Hernandez-Alvarez practices in Hermosillo, Mexico. Mr. Hernandez-Alvarez and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Rickettsialpox. His top areas of expertise are Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Rickettsialpox, Spotted Fever, and Chikungunya.
Adriana Troyo practices in San Jose, Costa Rica. Ms. Troyo and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Rickettsialpox. Her top areas of expertise are Rickettsialpox, Spotted Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Relapsing Fever.
A full recovery is expected when antibiotics are taken as instructed.
There are usually no complications if the infection is treated.
Contact your provider if you or your child has symptoms of rickettsialpox.
Controlling mice helps prevent the spread of rickettsialpox.
Summary: The aim of this study is to impove the pharmacological treatment of Rocky mountain spotted fever, since is a very ancient disease with an antibiotic therapy that have not changed much the mortality rates, being compared with the natural curse of the disease.
Published Date: July 16, 2024
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Elston DM. Bacterial and rickettsial diseases. In: Callen JP, Jorizzo JL, Zone JJ, Piette WW, Rosenbach MA, Vleugels RA, eds. Dermatological Signs of Systemic Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 32.
Fournier P-E, Raoult D. Rickettsia akari (Rickettsialpox). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 187.