For what it is worth.  We have had a case of RMSF in our house hold. 

(1) Don't accept the Dr. opinion that it is strop throat with out take a swab of the throat and testing.

(2) If any doubt, start using doxycycline now.  Doxycycline was often used as an antibiotic, but some are sensitive to getting a sun burn so they it is not used much now. 

(3) They tired two different antibiotics before ending up in the emergency room of Children's in Omaha.  Fever reached 106, intense pain, 6 day stay, patient goes out of their mind, more treatment at home.  Not good.  

(4)  If you start the treatment for RMSF in the first 5 days it is not nearly so bad.  Serious, but generally not deadly.  We were in day 8 before treatment started.

(5) Was caused by a tick bite.  Children's said they had 4 cases this year already.  0 cases last year.