Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that affects around millions of individuals in the US. It is transmitted through a tick bite. But, Lyme disease is not the only tick-borne disease. The ticks harbor different bacteria and have the ability to spread various diseases.
Have you heard of a tick-borne disease called Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RSMF)? This condition is spread through American dog ticks. Due to the overlapping clinical symptoms, it is difficult to differentiate RSMF and Lyme disease. In this blog, we will discuss the key differences between RSMF and Lyme disease.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection, which is caused by the bacterium, “Borrelia burgdorferi”. The infection is spread through black-legged ticks, which are usually found in the Northeast region.
To spread the bacteria, the ticks must be attached to the body surface for more than 24 hours. Individuals who spend their time in outdoor activities are quickly exposed to infection. The incidence of Lyme disease is higher during warmer months.
Clinical symptoms:
Early clinical symptoms of Lyme disease can occur within thirty days that include,
- Joint ache
- Fever
- Headache
- Weakness
- Erythema migrans: The skin rashes can occur among 70-80% of individuals. These rashes are formed at the site of tick bite that gradually expands. It can enlarge and lead to a “bull’s eye” appearance (concentric rings).
Later-stage symptoms:
- Neck stiffness
- Bell’s palsy
- Difficulty in breathing
- Dizziness
- Tingling sensation
- Brain fog
Treatment strategies:
Antibiotics are considered the first-line treatment strategy for Lyme disease. Amoxicillin or doxycycline are the usually used antibiotics that have demonstrated activity against Borrelia species. Intravenous antibiotics are administered to treat Lyme disease-related neurologic symptoms, such as meningitis.
Complications of Lyme disease:
- Lyme carditis
- Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (Discoloration and thinning of skin)
- Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
- Sleep disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
What is Rocky Mountain spotted fever?
In contrast to Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an illness that is caused by the bacteria “Rickettsia rickettsii”. The mortality rate of RSMF ranges between 20 to 30 percent. The bacteria can affect the vascular endothelial cells that line the small blood vessels. When the endothelial cells are affected, there will be inflammation and alteration in the vascular permeability. As a result, there will be confusion, skin rashes, and CNS symptoms.
Clinical symptoms:
- Reduced appetite
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Photophobia
- Dyspnea
- Seizures
Diagnosis:
RSMF can be confirmed with the help of certain tests.
| Blood tests |
| Skin tests |
| Renal function tests |
| Urine analysis |
Treatment:
Similar to Lyme disease, antibiotics (doxycycline) are prescribed for RSMF. For pregnant ladies, chloramphenicol can be recommended. It has been estimated that around 3% of individuals who are affected with this condition will die.
If left untreated, RSMF can predispose the patient to several complications:
- Cardiovascular failure
- Renal failure
- Damage to the brain
- Inflammation of the lungs
What are the key differences between RSMF and Lyme disease?
In contrast to Lyme disease, RSMF has a poor prognosis.
| RSMF | Lyme disease |
| It is caused by the bacteria “Rickettsia rickettsii”. | Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria, “Borrelia burgdorferi”. |
| The disease is transmitted through American dog ticks. | Blacklegged ticks (lxodes capsularis) transmit the infection. |
| When compared to Lyme disease, RSMF is linked to higher mortality. | Usually, Lyme disease is associated with better treatment outcomes. |
| The condition can be fatal, if treatment is not initiated early. | Antibiotic treatment can help to relieve the clinical symptoms, if administered at early stage. |
How to stay protected from tick-borne diseases?
Generally, ticks are common in grassy regions. If you are spending more time in outdoor activities, you are at increased risk of getting infections. So, it is important to take proper protective measures.
- Avoid outdoor activities in tick-prone areas.
- You can wear light-colored clothes that help in detecting the ticks easily. To stay protected from ticks, you can wear long pants and socks.
- Applying insect repellents can prevent the tick bites.
- It is important to inspect for ticks after returning from an outdoor activity.
- You can also take a shower immediately, which can help in removing the ticks.
If you have identified ticks, remove them and consult your healthcare professional to monitor the clinical symptoms.
