Ehrlichiosis
What is ehrlichiosis?
Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the bacteria Ehrlichiae.
The first human case in the U.S. was reported in 1986, in a man exposed
to ticks in Arkansas. In New York State, most cases of ehrlichiosis
have been diagnosed in Westchester County and the lower Hudson valley.
Who gets ehrlichiosis?
Anyone can get ehrlichiosis, although the majority of known cases
have been in adults. People who spend time outdoors in tick infested
areas from April until October are at greatest risk for exposure.
How is the disease spread?
As with Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis is believed to be spread by ticks,
including the deer tick, the dog tick and the lone star tick. Transmission
occurs after a bite from an infected tick. Ehrlichiosis cannot be spread
from person to person.
What are the symptoms of ehrlichiosis?
The most common symptoms are fever, muscle aches, weakness and headache.
Patients may also experience confusion, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.
Unlike Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a rash is not common.
Infection usually produces mild to moderately severe illness, with high
fever and headache, but may occasionally be life-threatening or even
fatal.
When do symptoms appear?
The incubation period is usually one to three weeks after exposure
to an infected tick. However, not every exposure results in infection.
How is ehrlichiosis diagnosed?
Special laboratory tests can detect recent infection with the Ehrlichia
bacteria. Other laboratory findings may include low white blood count,
low platelet count and abnormal liver enzyme tests. Because diagnostic
tests are not readily available, the diagnosis of ehrlichiosis should
be made based on clinical symptoms and a history of exposure to ticks.
What is the treatment?
Tetracycline antibiotics are usually rapidly effective for ehrlichiosis.
Because these antibiotics can cause dental staining in children, physicians
should consult an infectious disease expert when treating children.
How can I prevent ehrlichiosis?
As with Lyme disease, avoiding tick bites will prevent ehrlichiosis.
When working or playing outdoors in tick infested areas: Wear light
colored clothing and tuck pants into socks, tuck shirt into pants: Apply
repellents containing DEET to exposed skin and clothing: Use repellents
sparingly and avoid prolonged or excessive applications, especially
in children: Check clothes and body surfaces carefully after being outdoors,
especially in tick infested areas.
How should a tick be removed?
Remove the tick as soon as possible. Use tweezers, grab the tick's
mouth parts close to the skin and pull it straight out. Do not squeeze
the tick's body when removing it and do not handle the tick with
bare hands. If there is concern about incomplete tick removal, a physician
should be notified. Save the tick by placing it in a jar or plastic
bag and freeze or add alcohol so that it can be identified by a health
professional.
Updated: April 1996
Source: NY State Department of Health
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