Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) (Spotted Fever; Tick Fever; Tick Typhus) By William A Petri, Jr, MD, PhD, University of Virginia School of Medicine Reviewed / Revised Mar 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Epidemiology Pathophysiology Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Key Points More Information Topic Resources Wood Tick Yellow Dog Tick Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Deer tick Deer ticks Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by ixodid ticks.