How is Rocky Mountain spotted fever treated?
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is best treated by using a tetracycline antibiotic, usually doxycycline. This medication should be given in doses of 100 mg every 12 hours for adults or 4 mg/kg body weight per day in two divided doses for children under 45 kg (100 lbs). Patients are treated for at least 3 days after the fever subsides and until there is evidence of clinical improvement. Standard duration of treatment is 5 to 10 days. Because laboratory confirmation is generally not available during acute illness, treatment is initiated based on clinical and epidemiological information.
