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More about Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Definition Causes and symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Alternative treatment Prognosis Prevention Resources

Diagnosis of RMSF is almost always made on the basis of the characteristic symptoms, coupled with either a known tick bite (noted by about 60-70% of patients) or exposure to an area known to harbor ticks. Complex tests exist to nail down a diagnosis of RMSF, but these are performed in only a few laboratories. Because the results of these tests take so long to obtain, they are seldom used. This is because delaying treatment is the main cause of death in patients with RMSF.

— Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD