Living with Colorado tick fever
A tick-borne viral infection that causes fever that comes and goes, headache, muscle and joint aches, and tiredness.
Understanding Colorado tick fever
It is caused by a virus called a Coltivirus. The fever comes in two waves and can last 3 weeks or more. It can occur any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these symptoms:
- Fever that comes in two waves
- Headache
- Muscle aches (myalgias)
- Joint pain (arthralgias)
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Sometimes rash, stiff neck, nausea or sore throat
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and seizure and epilepsy specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Epilepsy Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Seizure and epilepsy specialists (epileptologist)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Epilepsy Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Epilepsy Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by a virus (a Coltivirus) spread by an infected tick.
Also known as: american mountain fever; american mountain tick fever; colorado tick encephalitis; colorado tick fever virus caused disease or disorder; colorado tick fever virus disease or disorder; colorado tick fever virus infectious disease
Patient organizations
- Epilepsy FoundationEpilepsy · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Colorado tick fever.
Explore research for Colorado tick fever
Explore actively recruiting Colorado tick fever studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Colorado tick fever with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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