Do I Have Ehrlichiosis?

Do you spend a lot of time in grassy, brushy, wooded areas?

Have you been bitten by a tick?

Did your symptoms start within 1-2 weeks after you were bitten by a tick?

Do you have fever and chills?

Do you have a severe headache?

Do you have muscle aches?

Do you feel fatigue?

Have you lost your appetite?

Do you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?

Do you feel confused?

Do you have a rash that usually appears 5 days after fever begins (the rash may look like red splotches or pinpoint dots)?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have ehrlichiosis. Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, or E. muris eauclairensis. These bacteria are transmitted to people by the bites of infected ticks. Commonly, ticks known as the lone star tick and the blacklegged tick spread ehrlichiosis to humans. Most reported cases of ehrlichiosis are from the southeastern and south-central United States. Ehrlichiosis is an acute infection, usually without long-term consequences. The severity of symptoms varies from one person to another. In many cases, people have no symptoms or mild ones. If treated promptly, ehrlichiosis can improve within a few days.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have ehrlichiosis. Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infection usually caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis, a type of bacteria that is transmitted to humans by the bite of the lone star tick. The symptoms usually begin within a week of a tick bite. People often experience flu-like symptoms. In some cases, the symptoms are so mild that your body is able to fight the infection on its own. Otherwise, ehrlichiosis can be successfully treated with antibiotics. Occasionally, the symptoms of ehrlichiosis can be persistent and require hospitalization. A diagnosis is based on your symptoms and laboratory tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have ehrlichiosis. Ehrlichiosis is a disease caused by several forms of the bacterium Ehrlichia. The humans become infected with the bacteria by the bite of a lone star tick. After a tick bite, the bacteria go into your bloodstream. Ehrlichiosis is not a contagious disease. Rarely, you may get ehrlichiosis through a blood donation or organ transplant from an infected person. Tick-borne infections are often difficult to diagnose due to the symptoms similar to many other conditions. Ehrlichiosis is treated with antibiotics. Treatment is often started before the diagnosis is confirmed in order to prevent serious complications.