Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis
Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis
Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are flu-like condition that are tick-borne. Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis is characterized by fever, muscle aches and headaches within 14days of tick bite.
Symptoms
- Moderate fever
- Chills
- Pain in muscles
- Malaise
- Pain in joints
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decrease appetite
- Usually ehrlichiosis also presents with confusion and rashes.
Causes
Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are both tick-borne diseases but have different causative bacteria. Ehrlichiosis is caused by different species of ehrlichia bacteria whereas Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Tick gets the bacteria from host like deer and then spread it to other host such as human. Other sources by which causative bacteria spreads are blood transfusion, from mother to fetus or through direct contact with the infected blood of slaughtered animal.
Complications
Complications include:
- Failure of kidney
- Heart failure
- Respiratory failure
- Effects of central nervous system
- Seizures
- Coma
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of these infection depends upon detailed medical history and complete general physical examination of the patient. Other tests include the following:
- Blood tests
- Liver function tests
- Detection of specific genes, which are specific to the bacteria, in the blood
Treatment
Treatment options include:
- Usually antibiotics are prescribed for atleast 3days or as long as person feels unwell. Antibiotics include doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, others).
- In pregnant ladies antibiotic rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, others) are prescribed.
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Wear gloves to protect hands from tick
- Use tweezers to pull tick away from the body without jerking and twisting
- Clean the area with soap and water