An infected tick can bite you and cause Ehrlichiosis, a potentially serious infection that is caused by bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia. They infect and destroy white blood cells. The flu-like symptoms of Ehrlichiosis include fever, headache, muscle aches, and rash. If left untreated, it can cause organ failure, bleeding, and death. We will discuss the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ehrlichiosis in this blog post.
Ehrlichiosis is transmitted by ticks that carry the Ehrlichia bacteria. The three most common species of Ehrlichia which cause human infection are Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis. In the southeast, south central, and eastern parts of the United States, these bacteria are mainly found in lone star ticks and blacklegged ticks. In other countries where these ticks are present, Ehrlichiosis can also occur.
If you are bitten by an infected tick and the bacteria enter your bloodstream, you can get ehrlichiosis. The risk of infection is higher if the tick remains attached for a long time, usually more than 24 hours. Animals or other people cannot transmit ehrlichiosis.
Symptoms of ehrlichiosis usually appear within one to two weeks after a tick bite, but they can vary from person to person. Some people will have mild symptoms, while others will have severe or life-threatening symptoms.
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches
Chills
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Confusion
Red eyes
Children are more likely to develop a rash with ehrlichiosis, which is either splotchy or dotted. The rash usually appears five days after the onset of fever and lasts for a few days.
If you have symptoms of ehrlichiosis and you have been in an area where ticks are common, you should see your doctor immediately. Your doctor will ask about your medical history, your symptoms, and your exposure to ticks. Your doctor will also perform a physical examination and order some blood tests to check for signs of infection and organ damage.
The blood tests can include:
A complete blood count (CBC), which measures the number and type of blood cells. People with ehrlichiosis often have low levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
A blood smear, which is a microscopic examination of a drop of blood. This can show the presence of Ehrlichia bacteria inside the white blood cells.
This test is more sensitive and specific than a blood smear, but the results may take longer. It is a molecular test that detects the DNA of Ehrlichia bacteria in the blood.
It can confirm a past or current infection of Ehrlichia bacteria, but may not be positive for several weeks after symptoms first appear.
The best treatment for Ehrlichiosis is antibiotics, which can kill the bacteria and prevent complications. In addition to being effective against all species of Ehrlichia that cause human infection, doxycycline is also safe for pregnant and nursing women and children of all ages. It is usually taken by mouth for 10 to 14 days.
In case of severe or complicated ehrlichiosis, you may need hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, oxygen, and blood transfusions. You may also need treatment for any organ damage or bleeding.
Most people with ehrlichiosis recover within a few days of starting antibiotics. However, some may have long-term effects, such as fatigue, joint pain, or neurological problems.
The best way to prevent ehrlichiosis is to avoid getting bitten by ticks. You can reduce your risk of tick bites by following these tips:
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes when you go outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas where ticks are common.
Tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants to prevent ticks from crawling under your clothes.
Use insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or permethrin on your skin and clothing, following the instructions on the label.
After you come indoors, check yourself, your clothes, and your pets for ticks. If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible, using fine-tipped tweezers. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out with a steady motion. Do not twist or squeeze the tick. Wash your hands and bite area immediately.
Shower or bathe within two hours of coming indoors to wash off any ticks that may be attached to your skin.
Put your clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may be on them.
Avoid areas where ticks are known to be present, especially during the peak season of May to July and September.
The symptoms of ehrlichiosis should be treated immediately if you are bitten by a tick. If you are diagnosed early and treated effectively, you can prevent serious complications and improve your outcome. You can prevent ehrlichiosis by avoiding tick bites, but it is a rare but treatable disease.
