Queensland tick typhus as a cause of seizures and acute confusion

Queensland tick typhus is a rickettsial disease transmitted via a tick bite. The illness is usually mild, consisting of fever, myalgia and a rash. We present the case of a severe form of the illness which manifested as seizures and acute confusion. We highlight the need to consider this disease in the critically ill patient who presents with a febrile illness and a rash, and the need to consider empirical treatment in such patients.