The report confirmed that this was the reason for the death of the dentist Mariana Giordana, who in recent days has crossed the interior of São Paulo and the south of Minas; star tick transmits bacteria
The Adolfo Lutz Institute, linked to the Sao Paulo government, confirmed on Monday 12 that Rocky Mountain spotted fever was the cause of the death of dentist Mariana Giordano, 36 years old. She and her boyfriend, racing driver Douglas Costa, 42, died suddenly last Thursday 8, after being admitted to hospital with an intense fever and severe headaches. Her death is still being investigated. In recent weeks, the couple had passed through Campinas (SP) and Monte Verde, south of Minas.
Next, understand Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, from symptoms to forms of treatment.
What is spotted fever
It is an acute febrile infectious disease. It can cause critical illness, with a high probability of death.
The disease receives this name because it causes fever in the patient, as well as being characterized by the presence of red spots on the skin – the macules.
“It is a very serious disease. If the doctor does not consider it and does not start treatment quickly, the risk of death is high,” reinforces infectious disease specialist Marcelo Simão, head of the infectious disease service at the Hospital de Clínicas of the Federal University of Uberlândia and former president of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI).
To give you an idea, 62 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever were confirmed in the state of São Paulo last year, with 44 patients dying (a mortality rate of about 75%).
What is the relationship between the disease and the star tick?
This species, once infected by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsiiis responsible for the transmission of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
The star tick has as its main host the capybara, an animal that lives in swamps and on the banks of rivers.
Cattle and horses can also carry infected star ticks.
For disease transmission to occur, the infected tick must remain attached to the person’s skin for at least four hours, according to the Ministry of Health.
The problem is that Micuins – young, small ticks – are also transmitters and are difficult to see with the naked eye.
There is no person-to-person transmission of the disease.
Symptoms of spotted fever
The disease begins suddenly with a series of symptoms similar to those of other infections: high fever, body aches, headache, lack of appetite and discouragement.
“At that time, it was common to confuse Rocky Mountain spotted fever with other diseases, such as leptospirosis and dengue,” informs Simão.
Then small reddish spots appear and grow and become prominent. These lesions, similar to flea bites, tend to cause small hemorrhages under the skin.
It is this manifestation that, according to the SBI consultant, serves as the prime alert for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
“This symptom arises because the bacteria that cause the disease attack the blood vessels. They rupture and bleeding occurs,” describes the infection specialist.
The red spots appear all over the body, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Symptoms take, on average, seven to ten days to appear.
But it must be remembered that there are people who can be asymptomatic.
How is spotted fever diagnosed?
Faced with patient complaints — such as high fever, pain, and most importantly, red rashes — and reports of visited areas and possible tick bites, the doctor should suspect Rocky Mountain spotted fever and request a blood test.
According to Simão, it is very important that the doctor sought – in most cases, a general practitioner – consults an infectious disease colleague, who will certainly think about the possibility of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. “It’s his area,” he says.
“Sometimes, doctors in other specialties don’t know or don’t remember this disease. But it evolves very quickly,” he adds.
What is the treatment for the disease?
Treatment must be started quickly and is based on specific antibiotics: doxycycline or chloramphenicol can be used.
If there is a delay in starting treatment, there is a serious risk that the drugs will no longer have the desired effect.
How to avoid Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
The first guideline is to understand if you are visiting an area known to have many star ticks.
According to the SBI consultant, today, in Brazil, the most worrying regions in this regard are the surroundings of Campinas and Belo Horizonte, as well as within Rio de Janeiro.
“Anyone who goes to walk in one of these areas must wear boots and tuck the trousers inside the shoes, because then the tick has no way of attaching itself to the skin,” advises the doctor.
To make ticks easier to see, it is ideal to prioritize light clothing when entering bushy areas.
In addition to this, it is essential to always check the body to confirm that there is not a tick attached to the skin.
Is there a more dangerous time to get Rocky Mountain spotted fever?
While not a seasonal disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is most common between the months of June and November, when tamarins predominate.
Who can get Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Anyone who is in an endemic area and has exposed skin.
“If you’re stung, don’t delay seeking a doctor for guidance,” Simão reinforces. According to him, there are techniques to remove the tick from the body. “It can’t be done anyway.”
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
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