Things you should know about Ehrlichiosis

 

Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis diseases are more similar to tick-borne illnesses which cause flu-like symptoms, which includes fever, muscle aches and headache. Usually, the signs and symptoms of ehrlichiosis will appear within 14 days after a tick bite.

If you treat this Ehrlichiosis infection with appropriate antibiotics, you will gradually recover within a few days. If you Untreat the ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis infection can lead to serious life-threatening complications.

The most and best way of preventing these infections is to avoid the tick bites. Other ways of preventing and best defences of these infections are tick repellents, full body check after spending the time outside and proper removal of ticks.

Symptoms of ehrlichiosis

People who are infected by ehrlichiosis think that they have other diseases like flu or stomach flu. Symptoms of ehrlichiosis are:

• chills

• fever

• muscle aches

• headaches

• general malaise

• nausea

• diarrhea

But some people with ehrlichiosis will face any type of rash. Two types of rashes which can occur with these conditions:

• petechial rashes, which is small spots caused by bleeding under the skin

• Appear flat red rashes

Signs and symptoms of ehrlichiosis are the same like the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever which is another type of tick-borne illness.

Another tick-borne illness is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever which is similar to The symptoms of ehrlichiosis. Usually Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever usually causes a rash.

Symptoms of ehrlichiosis typically begin between the 7 to 14 days of tick bite, however some people never know that they have been bitten by a tick.

Who is most at risk for ehrlichiosis?

Anyone can get ehrlichiosis infection, there are more reported cases in people who are assigned male at birth. You are at high risk of getting severe infection with ehrlichiosis if you are:

• Age Older than 50 years

• People who are living with a low immune system from HIV, cancer or medications

• People who are living with chronic illness like diabetes or connective tissue disorders

In the US, ehrlichiosis can be found mostly in places like the Midwest, South Central and Eastern regions. Ehrlichiosis infection can also be found in other areas all over the world.

Causes of ehrlichiosis

Three types of Ehrlichia bacteria cause ehrlichiosis. They are 

• E. chaffeensis

• E. ewingii

• E. muris eauclairensis

Usually, the symptoms of all three types of bacteria are similar, but E. chaffeensis bacteria type mostly cause serious illness. You will get an infection with Ehrlichia when a tick bites an infected animal followed by a tick bites you.

Transmission

Usually, Ehrlichiosis infection is spread from animals to humans through the bites of ticks. The most common carries among all the ticks are the lone star tick and the blacklegged (deer) tick. Typically, ticks bite infected animals like deer, dogs or coyotes and then that infected tick bites you. This will spread the bacteria to your body.

In some rare cases of ehrlichiosis infection, You can get this infection from a blood transfusion or organ transplant.

Ehrlichiosis diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your medical health history and your symptoms. You should tell your doctor if you had a recent tick bite. Your doctor will ask about your outdoor areas of the country where these ticks are mostly found in common. And then you will need a physical exam.

Your doctor will need some results from certain medical tests to diagnose the condition. Some blood test to check which includes:

• Indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA). This test will confirm the infection. But this test takes about 21 days. Usually blood samples will be taken after the first week of symptoms. Then the second sample will be taken after 2 to 4 weeks of confirmation.

• Test your white blood cells under a microscope. Bacteria of ehrlichiosis infection might be seen inside the white blood cell.

• Antibodies. These are not helpful to diagnose the infection if you are acutely ill. It may not become positive for 1 to 2 weeks.

Ehrlichiosis infection is very hard to diagnose.But some of the people will face only mild symptoms which can usually be caused by many other diseases. Most of the people with ehrlichiosis may not know that a tick bites them. You have to consult who specialises in infectious diseases for diagnosis.

Treatment

Generally, Ehrlichiosis infection is treated with antibiotics. You have to take antibiotics until your fever goes away and your symptoms improve at least three days after the fever. Usually, you have to take medications for about five to seven days.

Treatment for Ehrlichiosis infection is most effective when the symptoms start to appear. If you start the treatment too late, ehrlichiosis infection can lead to more serious complications which put you in the hospital.

Prevention

To help prevent ehrlichiosis:

• You should stay away from wooded and bushy areas with more grass and leaf litter. You have to walk in the center of trails instead.

• You should always wear light-coloured full pants and long-sleeved shirts, and enclosed shoes. And you must tuck your pants into your socks while you go hiking.

• You have to use tick repellents like DEET or permethrin on exposed skin areas and clothing.

• You must do a full-body check for ticks whenever you come from the outdoors.

• You should bathe or shower within a couple of hours, so that you can more easily find and remove any ticks from your body.

• Do examine gear and pets for ticks and other species.

• You should tumble clothes with the help of a dryer on high heat to kill any remaining ticks.

If you find a tick attached to your skin, you can remove it within 24 hours. You should make sure to :

• You should use a pair of tweezers to grab the tick directly by its head or its mouth parts.You should not grab the tick by its body.

• You should remove the tick by pulling it out slowly and directly outwards.

• You will place the ticks in alcohol to kill them.

• You have to clean the bite wounds with a disinfectant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is ehrlichiosis curable in humans?

Ans: It can cause very serious complications if left untreated. But it can be cured with prompt treatment.

Q2. What causes Ehrlichia disease?

Ans: Ehrlichiosis is caused by different species of ehrlichia bacteria.

Q3. How long can ehrlichiosis last?

Ans: Ehrlichiosis is rarely deadly. With antibiotics, people usually improve within 24 to 48 hours. Recovery may take up to 3 weeks.

Q4. What happens if a tick bites you?

Ans: Most tick bites are painless and cause only minor signs and symptoms, such as a change in skin colour, swelling or a sore on the skin.

Q5. Can Ehrlichia be transmitted?

Ans: Ehrlichia bacteria may be transmitted through blood transfusions, full organ transplants, from mother to child during pregnancy, and direct contact with an infected animal's blood.