Rocky Mountain spotted fever
noun
: an acute disease that is characterized by chills, fever, prostration, pains in muscles and joints, and a red to purple eruption and that is caused by a rickettsial bacteria (Rickettsia rickettsii) usually transmitted by an ixodid tick and especially the American dog tick, brown dog tick, or a wood tick
Examples of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As Americans spend more time outdoors, illnesses such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and alpha-gal syndrome are increasing in both frequency and geographic spread.
—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
These bites can cause serious, sometimes deadly diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and, increasingly, alpha-gal syndrome (also known as red meat allergy) and Powassan disease.
—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
The lone star tick is the most common tick in North Carolina and is associated with Alpha-gal syndrome, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to NC State extension associate Christopher Hayes.
—
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Ticks transmit serious diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, with the Northeast carrying the heaviest burden.
—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
These bites can cause serious, sometimes deadly diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and, increasingly, alpha-gal syndrome (also known as red meat allergy) and Powassan disease.
—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
The lone star tick is the most common tick in North Carolina and is associated with Alpha-gal syndrome, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to NC State extension associate Christopher Hayes.
—
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Ticks transmit serious diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, with the Northeast carrying the heaviest burden.
—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Cite this Entry
“Rocky Mountain spotted fever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Rocky%20Mountain%20spotted%20fever. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
noun
Rocky Moun·tain spotted fever
ˈräk-ē-ˈmau̇nt-ᵊn- 
: an acute bacterial disease that is characterized by chills, fever, prostration, pains in muscles and joints, and a red purple eruption and that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Rickettsia (R. rickettsii) usually transmitted by ixodid ticks and especially by the American dog tick, brown dog tick, and Rocky Mountain wood tick
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