Symptoms & Signs
Symptoms of Colorado tick fever start 3 to 6 days after getting 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:
- Excessive sweating
- Generalized weakness
- Headache
- Joint stiffness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Occasional rash (may be light-colored)
- Sensitivity to light ( photophobia)
- Severe muscle aches
Diagnosis & Tests
Tests are done to confirm the infection. These may include:
- Complement fixation to Colorado tick virus
- Immunofluorescence for Colorado tick fever — will be positive if the person has the disease
Other blood tests may include:
- Complete blood count (CBC) — will show a lower-than-normal number of white blood cells and may show lower-than-normal platelets
- Creatine phosphokinase
- Liver function tests
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Colorado tick fever : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Colorado tick fever : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Colorado tick fever : Treatment
Review Date : 9/28/2008
Reviewed By : Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
