infections
Overview of Rickettsial Infections
Treatment of Rickettsial Infections
Antibiotics Antibiotics are usually started without waiting to get the results of tests. Early treatment of rickettsial infections can prevent complications from developing, reduce the risk of dying, and shorten the recovery time. Rickettsial infections respond promptly to early treatment with antibiotics called tetracyclines (doxycyclineis preferred). These antibiotics are given by mouth unless people are very sick. In such cases, antibiotics are given intravenously. Although some tetracyclines taken for longer than 10 days can cause tooth staining in children younger than 8 years old, a short course (5 to 10 days) ofdoxycyclinefor rickettsial disease in children of all ages is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts and can be used without causing tooth staining or weakening of tooth enamel (see alsoCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Research on doxycycline and tooth staining). After treatment, most people with a mild infection noticeably improve in 1 or 2 days, and fever usually disappears in 2 to 3 days. People take the antibiotic for a minimum of 1 week—longer if the fever persists. When treatment begins late, improvement is slower and the fever lasts longer. If the infection is untreated or if treatment is begun too late, people may die, especially if they have Epidemic Typhus , Fluoroquinolones and other similar antibiotics may be used to treat Mediterranean spotted fever but are usually not used to treat other rickettsial or related infections. 