Final answer:
Doxycycline is the drug of choice for treating Rocky Mountain spotted fever, with chloramphenicol as the second-choice antibiotic if doxycycline is not suitable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The drug of choice for treating Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is doxycycline. This bacterial infection is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, such as the American dog tick or the Rocky Mountain wood tick. The typical presentation of RMSF includes a petechial rash that often starts at the hands and wrists before spreading to the trunk. If doxycycline is not suitable, chloramphenicol is considered the second-choice antibiotic for treating RMSF. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical since the condition can mimic other diseases and can become severe without proper intervention.