Healthcare Providers Toolkit

What to know

  • Information about epidemiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics, treatment, and diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is included.
  • An instructional video and companion learning tools can be used as references.
  • Content is relevant to healthcare providers and public health professionals.
A healthcare professional at a desk reviews information on a notebook computer.
  • Information about epidemiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics, treatment, and diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is included.
  • An instructional video and companion learning tools can be used as references.
  • Content is relevant to healthcare providers and public health professionals.

About this toolkit

This toolkit provides important information about RMSF for healthcare providers and public health practitioners. It includes epidemiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics, treatment, and diagnosis of RMSF. An instructional video and companion learning tools can be used as references.

What's included

The following elements are included:

  • Resources:
    • Interactive training module – Take an online course.
    • Physician pocket card – Download and print.
    • Tickborne diseases of the United States manual – Download.
    • Training videos – View online.
    • Clinical timeline – Download and print.
  • Additional education and training
  • Additional clinical resources
  • Publications

Resources

The interactive web-based training module, Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment for Healthcare Providers, is designed to increase knowledge and change competency of RMSF practices and strategies. Free continuing education is awarded when requested.

Versions: English | Spanish

Header art for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever clinical diagnosis & treatment training course.
Take a web-based application to learn about diagnosis and treatment of RMSF.

A PDF-format quick reference card to download and print. It includes key facts about the clinical diagnosis and treatment of RMSF.

Version: English

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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever clinical pocket card.
Download a pocket card with information about RMSF.

A PDF-format manual for healthcare providers for tickborne diseases throughout the United States. This document highlights transmission, epidemiology, clinical, diagnostic, and treatment. Sixth edition, 2022.

Version: English

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Cover image for Tickborne Diseases of the United States Manual.
Download Tickborne Diseases of the United States, a useful reference manual.

RMSF training video

This RMSF training video discusses the clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. The video provides information to help frontline healthcare providers recognize and treat this rapidly progressive, fatal disease.

Version:

Rickettsial disease diagnostic testing and interpretation

This video provides information on rickettsial disease diagnostic methods for healthcare providers. It includes what tests are available and when it is most appropriate to collect samples. This video focuses on the use of polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) tests, and the indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assay for rickettsial disease diagnosis.

Download: Rickettsial Disease Diagnostic Testing and Interpretation Fact Sheet

A PDF-format timeline to download and print. Useful for posting at an office. It provides key clinical facts and images to aid in the diagnosis of RMSF.

Versions:

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A color chart providing key clinical facts and images to aid in the diagnosis of RMSF.
Download a color chart providing key clinical facts and images to aid in the diagnosis of RMSF.

Videos to review:

  • – Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity webinar, April 12, 2018.
  • – Medscape May 26, 2015.

  • Demma LJ, Traeger MS, Nicholson WL, et al. . N Engl J Med 2005;353:587–94.
  • Elghetany MT, Walker DH. . Am J Clin Pathol 1999;112:159–68.
  • Holman RC, Paddock CD, Curns AT, et al. . J Infect Dis 2001;184:1437–44.
  • Kirkland KB, Wilkinson WE, Sexton DJ. . Clin Infect Dis 1995;20:1118–21.
  • Massey EW, Thames T, Coffey CE, et al. . South Med J 1985;78:1288–90, 1303.
  • Paddock CD, Alvarez-Herandez G. Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain spotted fever). In: Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017. p. 952-957.
  • Regan JJ, Traeger MS, Humpherys D, et al. . Clin Infect Dis 2015;60:1659–66.
  • Smithee L, et al. Public health reporting and national notification for spotted fever rickettsiosis (including Rocky Mountain spotted fever).
  • Todd SR, Dahlgren FS, et al. . J Pediatr 2015;166(5):1246-51
  • Traeger MS, Regan JJ, Humpherys D, et al. . Clin Infect Dis 2015;60:1650–8.
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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)