Hi, thanks for posting your concern in the HCM. RMSF is the most common rickettsial disease. This does not cause long-term immunosuppression. Rather this causes vasculitis with localisation in the endothelial cells. This causes increased vascular permeability, resulting in edema, hypovolemia, hypotension and hypoalbuminemia. However, this does increase the risk of vascular complications and interstitial pneumonia. But, I don t think that this will affect your immune system. Rather, if you were prescribed long term steroids or any other immunosuppressive medication at any point of time that may have some effect. Therefore, please tell your wife not to worry regarding your immunity status. And she should also be proud that you could fight back against such a fatal disease. For any further questions please write back to us. Regards. Dr. Kaushik