2001 US Duathlon Champion Andrea Ratkovic's climb to the top of the multi-sport world has been halted, at least temporarily. Several weeks ago, Andrea came down with what was thought to be just a bad case of poison ivy, turned out to be a Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Andrea is still unclear how she exactly contracted "the fever", and diagnosis was delayed with her highly allergic reaction to the poison ivy she concurrently had.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an infectious disease marked by fever, headache, muscle pain, rash, and mental symptoms. It occurs mainly in Rocky Mountain regions, southeastern coastal states, and Long Island and Cape Cod.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever belongs to a group of insect-borne fevers caused by microscopic parasites known as rickettsiae, which attack the cells lining small blood vessels. The species Rickettsia rickettsii, responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, is transmitted from rodent to man by various ticks.

The symptoms include lose of appetite, chills, fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and photophobia. Other symptoms are nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and abdominal pain. Some patients become highly irritable and delirious, or so lethargic that they may lapse into a stupor or coma. Usually 3 to 5 days after the onset a rash appears on the wrists and ankles, then spreads to the trunk and limbs and occasionally to the face.

The good news is that Rocky Mountain spotted fever responds readily to treatment with tetracyclines and chloramphenicol. If untreated, it can be extremely serious and often fatal.

Though Andrea has been set back, she is not out. Her racing schedule is currently being carefully reorganized and still plans on making her Ironman debut this year. Andrea was hoping to race Lake Placid after the success of her first major triathlon (6th at St. Croix, in a strong field). But due to the illness, Andrea has already missed several weeks of training and racing, including her plans to race her second major tri at Buffalo Springs.

"I am really sorry about all of this", Andrea stated, "I hope everyone understands (her sponsors and friends) because this really does change my whole year around. I cannot possibly make up that lost training time nor can I make up for whatever strength I have lost, and I am not even out of the woods yet."

Timing on contracting such a bug is never good, and it could not be worse, mid-season, and right before the Duathlon Championships in Carlsbad, CA this weekend. Depending how Andrea reacts to the antibiotics, will determine if she races to defend her title or not.

Recovery looks good, and as always, Andrea is extremely optimistic as she is working out again.