Editing Rocky Mountain spotted fever (section)

==Diagnosis==
This disease can be diagnosed by a doctor with and without the use of lab testing.  Lab tests are not always relied upon because treatment may be necessary before the results are returned.<ref>{{Cite web|last=CDC|date=2021-03-26|title=Clinical and laboratory diagnosis of RMSF {{!}} CDC|url=https://www.cdc.gov/rmsf/healthcare-providers/ClinLab-Diagnosis.html|access-date=2021-10-24|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|language=en-us}}</ref>

Abnormal laboratory findings seen in patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever may include a [[thrombocytopenia|low platelet count]], [[hyponatremia|low blood sodium concentration]], or elevated [[liver enzyme]] levels. Serology testing and skin biopsy are considered to be the best methods of diagnosis. Although immunofluorescent antibody assays are considered some of the best serology tests available, most antibodies that fight against ''R. rickettsii'' are undetectable on serology tests during the first seven days after infection.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Woods CR|title=Rocky Mountain spotted fever in children|journal=Pediatr Clin North Am|volume=60|issue=2|pages=455–70|date=April 2013|pmid=23481111|doi=10.1016/j.pcl.2012.12.001}}</ref>

Differential diagnosis includes [[dengue]], [[leptospirosis]], [[chikungunya]], and [[Zika fever]].<ref name=Al2017/>