Colorado Tick Fever (CTF) Clinical Trials and Treatments

Colorado tick fever is caused by a coltivirus carried by the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), which picks it up from ground squirrels, chipmunks and other small mammals. The virus infects red blood cell precursors in the bone marrow, so it stays in the blood for weeks after the illness, which is why people who have had it are asked not to donate blood for 6 months. The illness begins 1 to 14 days after a bite with fever, chills, headache, body aches and exhaustion.

The most common symptoms of Colorado Tick Fever include Fever, chills, headache and body aches, 1 to 14 days after a tick bite, A fever that drops for a day or 2 and then returns, in about half of patients, Feeling very tired, sometimes for weeks afterward, Sore throat, vomiting, stomach pain or a rash in some people, Stiff neck or confusion in rare severe cases, among others. Colorado Tick Fever affects approximately 223 cases were reported to the CDC from 2003 through 2022, a median of 7 a year with a range of 3 to 37. It is reportable in 10 western states, so the count is incomplete. Most cases occur in spring and summer.. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may vary between individuals.

Trial Friend lists all active clinical trials for Colorado Tick Fever from ClinicalTrials.gov, with eligibility criteria translated into plain English. Patients can filter by trial phase and recruitment status, search by location, and use the Match Me tool to score trials against their profile. There are no clinical trials for Colorado tick fever, and none are expected, since the illness is usually self-limited. If you were diagnosed with it, ask whether a tick-borne bacterial infection was also ruled out, whether your blood counts have recovered, and plan on not donating blood for 6 months.

As of September 2026, Trial Friend's curated drug index does not include an FDA-approved treatment specific to Colorado Tick Fever. The Treatments section of this page checks FDA drug labels live and lists any approved drug whose label names the condition, and the trials listed below cover the investigational options.

Colorado Tick Fever is an acquired condition, not an inherited one. Tick-borne viral infection, diagnosed by PCR or antibody tests; not genetic. The condition affects approximately 223 cases were reported to the CDC from 2003 through 2022, a median of 7 a year with a range of 3 to 37. It is reportable in 10 western states, so the count is incomplete. Most cases occur in spring and summer.

Eligibility for Colorado Tick Fever clinical trials depends on factors like age, diagnosis, treatment history, and overall health. Each trial sets its own inclusion and exclusion criteria. Trial Friend translates these requirements from medical language into plain English so patients can review them more easily. The Match Me tool can score your profile against active trials to help identify studies that may be a fit.

Participating in a Colorado Tick Fever clinical trial typically involves scheduled visits, medical tests, and close monitoring by a research team. Depending on the study phase, you may receive an investigational treatment, a placebo, or the current standard of care. Trials may last from a few weeks to several years. Study participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.