Overview
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a potentially fatal infection transmitted to humans by ticks. This photograph shows the classical appearing rash which often begins on the wrists and ankles, and spreads rapidly towards the center of the body. The rash may also be present on the palms and soles.
Review Date 5/19/2023
Updated by: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.