Definition

Ehrlichiosis is an infection passed through a tick bite. It can be deadly unless medicine is taken to treat it.

Causes

Ehrlichiosis is caused by specific bacteria. The bacteria are passed through the bite of a tick. The lonestar tick, deer tick, and dog tick are linked with this infection.

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of this infection are:

• Being in areas known to have ticks
• Spending time in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern, and Southcentral United States
• Having a weakened immune system

Symptoms

It may take 1 to 2 weeks for symptoms to happen. The first symptoms are like the flu:

• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle and joint aches
• Headaches

Some people may also have a rash.

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Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. You will be asked if you have spent time in areas known for ticks. A physical exam will be done.

A blood test may be done to check for signs of ehrlichiosis.

Treatment

Ehrlichiosis is treated with antibiotics.

Prevention

To lower the chance of this infection:

• Avoid tick-infested areas.
• Wear light-colored clothing to better locate a crawling tick.
• Tuck pants into socks when in tick-infested habitats.
• Regularly inspect and remove ticks from the body when in tick-infested habitats.
• Remove ticks using fine-tipped tweezers by grasping the tick close to the skin’s surface and pulling upward steadily.
• Disinfect tick bites with soap and water.
• Use tick repellents.