Ehrlichiosis

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 ehrlichiosis 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. Rarely, people may have problems breathing or heart symptoms.

Treating the infection right away improves outcomes, regardless of symptoms.

Headache and Neck Stiffness.

Copyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

http://services.epnet.com/getimage.aspx?imageiid=24832483si55550875.jpgTension Headache: Areas of PainNULLjpgTension Headache: Areas of PainNULL\\filer01\Intellect\images\si55550875.jpgCopyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.18NULL2002-10-012553912483_878053279390Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. The person will be asked if they 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 risk of this infection:

• Avoid tick-infested areas.
• Wear light-colored clothing—to help see a crawling tick.
• Tuck pants into socks—when in tick-infested areas.
• Regularly check for and remove ticks from the body—when in tick-infested areas.
• Remove ticks using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick close to the skin’s surface. Pull upward steadily.
• Clean tick bites with soap and water.
• Use tick repellents.