infections
Other Spotted Fevers
Diagnosis of Other Spotted Fevers
A doctor's evaluation Biopsy and testing of the rash Blood tests Symptoms suggest the Diagnosis of a spotted fever. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors may do an immunofluorescence assay, which uses a sample taken from the rash (biopsy). Or they may use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to enable them to detect the bacteria more rapidly. Doctors may do blood tests that detect antibodies to the bacteria. However, doing the test only once is not enough. The test must be repeated 1 to 3 weeks later to check for anincreasein the antibody level. Thus, antibody tests do not help doctors diagnose the infection immediately after someone becomes ill but can help confirm the diagnosis later. 