The importance of differential diagnosis between dengue and spotted fever: case report

Abstract

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an acute febrile illness, transmitted by ticks of the Amblyomma cajennense species, better known as the star tick, and caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. If not treated in a timely and appropriate manner, it is a disease that has high mortality rates. In general, patients become infectious approximately 10 days after the tick bite which is often not noticed due to the presence of antipruritic substances released by the saliva of this vector. Symptoms classically include fever, headache and maculopapular rash, and may be associated with lymphadenopathy, changes in the central nervous system,nausea, vomiting and hepatitis. In these patients the epidemiological history of travel to endemic locations is essential for the suspicion of rickettsiosis and adequate management of the case. This report is about a case treated at the Reference Center for Immuno-Infectious Diseases in Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ managed by Dr. Luiz José de Souza together with his academics.