Overview
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by the organism Rickettsia rickettsii and is transmitted by a tick bite. It is a serious infection that produces a classical rash in about 90% of infected individuals. This is the typical appearance of the rash. There are many symptoms that affect the entire body (systemic).
Review Date 6/3/2025
Updated by: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.