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. Abnormal laboratory findings seen in patients with<unk>  may include a low platelet count, 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. Differential diagnosis includes dengue, leptospirosis, chikungunya, and Zika fever.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Zika fever
Flinders Island spotted fever
American tick bite fever
Trench fever
Chikungunya
Japanese spotted fever
Dengue fever