| Disease/Syndrome |
Colorado tick fever |
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| Category |
Infection, Occupational |
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| Acute/Chronic |
Acute-Moderate |
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| Synonyms |
CTF |
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| Biomedical References |
Search PubMed |
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| Comments |
This tick-borne viral infection is most common in persons exposed to ticks during recreational or occupational activities in the summer months and at elevations greater than 5000 feet. A common presentation is an episode of fever, remission of symptoms, and a second bout of fever. The disease is usually moderately severe, but not fatal. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia are common on day 4-5 of the fever. Complications may include encephalitis, myocarditis, and bleeding. A macular rash is present in some cases. Reservoirs include ticks, ground squirrels, porcupines, chipmunks, and mice. [CCDM, p. 48-50] Some patients have nausea and vomiting, spleen enlargement, and lymphadenopathy. About 15% of patients have a maculopapular or petechial rash. Approximately 5-10% of infected children develop encephalitis or meningitis. The virus infects red blood cell precursors resulting in viremia for the life span of the RBCs. Older patients often have residual fatigue for weeks after resolution of the acute symptoms. [PPID, p. 1900-1] |
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| Latency/Incubation |
4-5 days |
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| Diagnostic |
Viral culture; Serology; Identify antigens in RBCs by IFA; [PPID, p. 1901] |
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| ICD-9 Code |
066.1 |
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| Scope |
Western North America in mountainous regions above 5,000 feet; |
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| Related Information in Haz-Map |
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| Symptoms/Findings |
Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease:
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| Job Tasks |
High risk job tasks associated with this disease:
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