What Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
5. Complications
Though RMSF does not lead to chronic or long-lasting infections, complications are possible. Severe cases can lead to encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. The heart can also become inflamed, leading to heart disease. There is the potential for kidney failure as well.
For individuals who develop serious infections, the infection can severely damage the vessels in the extremities. This potentially leads to gangrene and subsequently amputation of affected digits. When left untreated, RMSF leads to death in approximately 80% of cases.
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