Rocky mountain spotted fever (rmsf) is a rickettsia (type of bacteria) infection transmitted by a tick bite (feeding > several hrs). Symptoms start in 1 week (2-14d range). The germ attacks the cells lining the small blood vessels in the body, causing multi-organ damage and maybe death. Very rarely, rmsf can be transmitted by a blood transfusion or accidental exposure in an infectious disease lab.

Dr Lutwick agreed

The usual form of transmission is by being bitten by a tick that carries the bacterium in its saliva.