Site Map

Colorado tick fever

Mountain tick fever; Mountain fever; American mountain fever

Colorado tick fever (CTF) is a viral infection. It is spread by the bite of the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni).

Images

I Would Like to Learn About:

Causes

This disease is usually seen between March and September. Most cases occur in April, May, and June.

CTF is seen most often in the western United States and Canada at elevations higher than 4,000 feet (1,219 meters). The CTF virus is transmitted by a tick bite or, in very rare cases, by a blood transfusion.

Symptoms

Symptoms of CTF most often start 1 to 14 days after the tick bite. A sudden fever continues for 3 days, goes away, then comes back 1 to 3 days later for another few days. Other symptoms include:

• Feeling weak all over and muscle aches
• Headache behind the eyes (typically during fever)
• Lethargy (sleepiness) or confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rash (may be light colored)
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Skin pain
• Sweating

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will examine you and ask about your signs and symptoms. If the provider suspects you have the disease, you will also be asked about your outdoor activity.

Blood tests will usually be ordered. Antibody tests can be done to confirm the infection. Other blood tests may include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Liver function tests

Treatment

There are no specific treatments for this viral infection.

The provider will make sure the tick is fully removed from the skin.

You may be told to take a pain reliever if you need it. DO NOT give aspirin to a child who has the disease. Aspirin has been linked with Reye syndrome in children. It may also cause other problems in CTF.

If complications develop, treatment will be aimed at controlling the symptoms.

Outlook (Prognosis)

CTF usually goes away by itself and is not dangerous.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

• Infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
• Irritation and swelling of the brain (encephalitis)
• Repeated bleeding episodes for no apparent cause

Contact your provider if you or your child develops symptoms of this disease, if symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop.

Prevention

When walking or hiking in tick-infested areas:

• Wear closed shoes
• Wear long sleeves
• Tuck long pants into socks to protect the legs

Wear light-colored clothing, which shows ticks more easily than darker colors. This makes them easier to remove.

Check yourself and your pets frequently. If you find ticks, remove them right away by using tweezers, pulling carefully and steadily. Insect repellent may be helpful.

Related Information

Acute
Fever
Insect bites and stings
Incidence
Encephalitis

References

Bolgiano EB, Sexton J. Tickborne illnesses. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 123.

Dinulos JGH. Infestations and bites. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 15.

Naides SJ. Arboviruses causing fever and rash syndromes. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 358.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 12/4/2022  

Reviewed 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.

Health Content Provider 06/01/2025

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.