Question

In contrast to Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever: Select one: a. may be confused with rheumatoid arthritis. b. causes painful joint swelling after a few days or weeks. c. can cause paralysis and cardiorespiratory collapse. d. presents with flu-like symptoms and a bull's-eye rash.

Answer 1

c. can cause paralysis and cardiorespiratory collapse

Explanation:

Lyme disease as well as Rocky mountain spotted fever are transmitted  by bite of ticks. However in the two cases, the pathogens are different.

Lyme disease is caused by  bacteria Borrelia mayonii  while rocky mountain fever is caused by Rickettsias sp.

Both of the disease involve appearance of rashes on the body . But difference lies at the location of rashes. The rash of Rocky mountain spotted fever arise at the wrist and ankles while rashes of lyme disease arise as bite poin in a bull's eye pattern.

Rocky mountain spotted fever is fatal if untreated and involves symptoms like rapidly increasing body temperature, headache etc. Lyme disease involves flu like symptoms.

Rocky mountain spotted fever if left untreated can cause paralysis and cardiorespiratory collapse as it may cause inflammation of muscles and heart in severe cases.