Delayed initiation of treatment with an appropriate antibiotic is associated with adverse outcomes including increased rates of hospitalization, admission to an intensive care unit, and mortality. The earliest symptoms are nonspecific: fever, headache, myalgias, and nausea and/or vomiting. Experts urge public health information campaigns to increase public awareness of tick-borne rickettsial infections.
- Walker DH et al. Rickettsiosis subcommittee report to the tick-borne disease working group. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 13 (2022) 101855.