Which disease is managed with supportive care only?

Which disease is managed with supportive care only?

• A. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• B. Tularemia
• C. Ehrlichiosis
• D. Colorado Tick Fever

Answer: (D)

Colorado tick fever is a viral illness transmitted by the tick Dermacentor. Because it’s viral, there isn’t a proven specific antiviral therapy, so management centers on supportive care: adequate fluids, rest, and fever/pain control with acetaminophen or nonsteroidal options as appropriate. Most people recover within a week or two, though some may have a biphasic fever. In contrast, the other tick-borne diseases listed are bacterial and require antibiotic treatment (doxycycline is commonly used for the rickettsial and ehrlichial infections, and tularemia needs specific antibiotics as well). This distinction—viral illness that resolves with supportive care versus bacterial infections needing antibiotics—explains why this disease is managed with supportive care only.

Colorado tick fever is a viral illness transmitted by the tick Dermacentor. Because it’s viral, there isn’t a proven specific antiviral therapy, so management centers on supportive care: adequate fluids, rest, and fever/pain control with acetaminophen or nonsteroidal options as appropriate. Most people recover within a week or two, though some may have a biphasic fever. In contrast, the other tick-borne diseases listed are bacterial and require antibiotic treatment (doxycycline is commonly used for the rickettsial and ehrlichial infections, and tularemia needs specific antibiotics as well). This distinction—viral illness that resolves with supportive care versus bacterial infections needing antibiotics—explains why this disease is managed with supportive care only.