Ehrlichiosis And Anaplasmosis

Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are two similar illnesses spread by ticks. They often cause symptoms like the flu, such as fever, aches in your muscles, and headaches. These symptoms usually show up within two weeks of a tick bite.

If you get treatment with antibiotics right away, you'll probably feel better in a few days. However, if you don't get treated, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis can lead to serious problems, even life-threatening ones.

The best way to avoid getting these illnesses is to prevent tick bites. Using tick repellent, carefully checking your body for ticks after being outdoors, and correctly removing any ticks you find are important steps to take.

Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are similar illnesses, though ehrlichiosis often has more severe symptoms. Both infections can cause a range of symptoms that vary from person to person. Common symptoms include:

• Fever: A moderate temperature increase.
• Shivering (Chills): Feeling cold and shaking.
• Headache: A pain in the head.
• Muscle Pain: Aches and soreness in the muscles.
• Feeling unwell: A general sense of being sick and tired.
• Joint pain: Discomfort in the joints.
• Nausea: A feeling of sickness in the stomach.
• Vomiting: Forceful expulsion of stomach contents.
• Diarrhea: Frequent bowel movements.
• Loss of appetite: Not feeling like eating.

Ehrlichiosis can sometimes cause additional symptoms that are less common in anaplasmosis:

• Confusion or mental changes: Problems with thinking clearly.
• Skin rash: A noticeable change in the skin's appearance.

Importantly, some people infected with these illnesses may not experience any symptoms at all.

It usually takes 5 to 14 days for symptoms of a tick bite to appear. If you've been bitten by a tick or think you might have been exposed, and you start experiencing any symptoms, it's important to see a doctor.

Lone Star and deer ticks can carry bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. These illnesses have similar symptoms but are caused by different bacteria.

Lone Star Ticks: These ticks, which are found in the southeastern, south-central, and eastern coastal parts of the US, have a noticeable white spot on their back. Before they feed on a host, they can grow to about one-third of an inch in size. Lone Star ticks are the main carriers of the bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis.

Deer Ticks: Deer ticks (also known as black-legged ticks) have three stages in their life cycle: adult female, adult male, nymph, and larva. A centimeter scale image helps show their different sizes. These ticks are more common carriers of the bacteria that cause anaplasmosis in the Upper Midwest, Northeastern states, and parts of Canada. They can also be found in Western coastal states, carrying the disease-causing bacteria.

Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis Explained:

• Ehrlichiosis: Caused by different types of Ehrlichia bacteria, primarily carried by Lone Star ticks. These bacteria are part of the same family as those that cause anaplasmosis.

• Anaplasmosis: Caused by the Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria. Deer ticks are the main carriers in the Upper Midwest and Northeast, but other ticks like the Western black-legged tick also spread it. This bacteria is also found in Europe and Asia.

How the Bacteria Spread:

Ticks feed by attaching to a host and sucking blood, becoming much larger in the process. They can pick up bacteria from one host (like a deer) and then transmit them to another host (like a human). This usually happens about a day after the tick starts feeding.

Other Ways Bacteria Can Spread:

The bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis can also spread through:

• Blood transfusions: Receiving blood from an infected donor.
• Mother to fetus: A pregnant woman with the infection can pass it to her baby.
• Contact with infected animals: Touching or eating meat from an animal infected with the bacteria.

Both ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are serious illnesses, and prompt medical attention is essential if you suspect you have been infected.

Ticks are tiny creatures that live close to the ground in forests and areas with lots of bushes. They can't fly or jump, so they have to latch onto something that rubs against them. This means they need a host, like you, to come close enough for them to attach.

There are things that make you more likely to get bitten by a tick:

• Spending time outdoors in warm weather: Spring and summer are peak tick seasons. Warmer temperatures are good for ticks, and they're more active.
• Doing outdoor activities in wooded or grassy areas: Hiking, camping, hunting, and playing in parks are all activities that put you in close contact with tick habitats. The more time you spend in these places, the greater the chance of encountering a tick.
• Wearing clothes that don't cover your skin completely: If you're outside in tick country, it's important to wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible. This reduces the chance of a tick finding a spot to grab onto you. Think long sleeves, long pants, and socks pulled over your pants. Tucking pants into socks is a good idea too.

Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis can cause serious problems if not treated quickly. These illnesses can affect anyone, even healthy adults and children. However, people whose immune systems are already weakened, like those with other health conditions, are more likely to have severe complications.

Left untreated, these infections can lead to a number of serious health issues:

• Kidney problems: The kidneys might stop working properly.
• Breathing problems: Difficulty breathing could require life support.
• Heart problems: The heart may not be able to pump blood effectively.
• Brain problems: The infection can damage the part of the brain that controls many essential functions. This can lead to seizures (sudden, uncontrolled jerking movements), and in extreme cases, coma.
• Other infections: A weakened immune system makes a person more vulnerable to other infections, which can be life-threatening.

These are just some of the possible complications. Prompt medical attention is crucial to prevent these issues and ensure a full recovery.

Preventing Tick-Borne Diseases Like Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis

Ticks are tiny creatures that can spread diseases like ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. The best way to protect yourself is to prevent tick bites in the first place. Ticks often latch onto your legs and feet while you're hiking, working, or playing in grassy, wooded areas, or tall weeds. Once attached, a tick will usually crawl upward to burrow into your skin.

Here's how to minimize your risk:

Avoiding Tick Habitats:

Ticks "quest" for hosts – they climb onto nearby objects, like blades of grass, waiting for you to brush past. To avoid becoming a host, stay away from places where ticks are likely to be, like tall grass. Stick to clear trails.

Using Repellents:

• Apply insect repellent: Use repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone on exposed skin (avoiding your face).
• Treat clothing and gear: Apply a repellent containing 0.5% permethrin to your clothes, shoes, tent, and other outdoor gear. Some gear and clothing may already be treated with permethrin. Let the treated items dry thoroughly before wearing them.
• Important note on children: Don't use repellents containing OLE or PMD on children under three years old.

Protective Clothing:

• Wear long clothing: Tuck long-sleeved shirts into pants and long pants into socks to create a barrier.
• Wear light-colored clothing: This makes it easier to spot ticks on your clothes before they bite.
• Avoid open-toed shoes: Close-toed shoes are better protection.

Post-Outdoor Activity:

• Shower immediately: Washing off any loose ticks is important.
• Thorough tick checks: Use a mirror to check all parts of your body, paying special attention to underarms, hair, ears, waist, between legs, behind knees, and belly button. Check your pets, too, if they spend time outdoors.
• Clean your gear: Dry clothing and gear on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks before washing.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of tick bites and the diseases they carry. Remember to always stay alert and check for ticks after spending time outdoors.

Tick-borne diseases are hard to pinpoint just by looking at symptoms, as they often mimic other common illnesses. Knowing if you've been bitten by a tick, or were potentially exposed to ticks, is very helpful for your doctor in figuring out what's going on. Your doctor will do a physical exam and likely order some tests.

If you have ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis, blood tests may show certain things:

• Lower-than-normal white blood cell count: White blood cells are part of your body's defense system against infections. A low count means your body might not be fighting off the infection as well as it should.
• Lower-than-normal platelet count: Platelets are tiny cells that help your blood clot. Having fewer of them can be a sign of a problem.
• High liver enzyme levels: Liver enzymes are proteins produced by your liver. High levels might mean your liver isn't working correctly. This could be related to the infection.

Blood tests can also check for tick-borne infections by looking for:

• The bacteria's unique genetic material: This is like finding the bacteria's DNA fingerprint.
• Antibodies to the bacteria: When your body fights off an infection, it creates special proteins called antibodies. Finding these antibodies in your blood can show that your body has encountered the bacteria.

If a doctor thinks you might have ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis, they'll likely start you on an antibiotic called doxycycline. This is a common treatment for these infections. Doxycycline comes in various brand names, such as Doryx and Vibramycin.

You'll usually need to take doxycycline for at least five to seven days. It's important to keep taking it even if you feel better. Doctors recommend continuing treatment for this length of time to make sure the infection is completely cleared. In some cases, if your illness is more severe, you might need to take the antibiotic for two to three weeks. This is determined by your doctor based on your specific condition.

If you're pregnant or have an allergy to doxycycline, your doctor might prescribe a different antibiotic called rifampin. Rifampin also comes in different brand names, including Rifadin and Rimactane.

Finding a tick on your body isn't cause for panic. Quickly removing it can help prevent getting sick. Here's how:

Getting Ready:

• Protection: Put on medical gloves or similar protective gloves. This shields your hands.

Removing the Tick:

• Tools: Use tweezers with a narrow tip. Grab the tick firmly near its head (the part embedded in your skin) as close to your skin as possible.

• Pulling: Gently and steadily pull the tick straight out of your skin. Avoid twisting or jerking it. If any part of the tick's mouth remains in your skin, use clean tweezers to remove it.

Storing the Tick (Important):

• Testing: If you're worried about getting sick, saving the tick can help doctors check it later. Put the tick in a sealed container. Write the date on the container and put it in the freezer.

Cleaning Up:

• Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling the tick. Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol.

What NOT to Do:

• Don't use: Don't put petroleum jelly, nail polish, rubbing alcohol, or a lit match on the tick. These methods are not helpful and might even cause more problems.

After Removal:

• Normal reaction: You'll probably see a small, red bump at the bite site, similar to a mosquito bite. This is normal and should go away in a few days.

When to See a Doctor:

• Concerns: If the bite area is still bothering you, or you notice any other symptoms that might suggest a tick-borne illness, see your doctor. Symptoms could include fever, headache, or a rash. It's best to get checked out to be safe.