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Sub-Category:

Tick-Borne Diseases

Number of Conditions: 1

Ehrlichiosis

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Bacterial Infections

Sub-category: Tick-Borne Diseases

Symptoms:
fever; headache; malaise; muscle aches; nausea; rash (less common)

Root Cause:
Infection by Ehrlichia species, transmitted by ticks, causing intracellular bacterial infection of white blood cells.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests (PCR for Ehrlichia DNA, serology), complete blood count (CBC), and liver function tests.

Treatment:
Early initiation of antibiotic therapy and supportive care.

Medications:
Doxycycline (a tetracycline antibiotic) is the drug of choice.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Found primarily in areas with high tick populations, particularly in the southeastern and south-central United States.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Tick exposure, outdoor activities in endemic areas, and lack of tick precautions.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with prompt treatment; delays can lead to severe or fatal complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory distress syndrome, organ failure, and secondary infections.