Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis
The lone star tick, which is one of three ticks that can spread Ehrlichiosis. It is characterized by the white dot on its back.
SpecialtyInfectious diseases 
SymptomsFever, chills, severe headaches, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, confusion, splotchy or pinpoint rash
ComplicationsBrain or nervous system damage, respiratory failure, uncontrollable bleeding, organ failure, death
CausesBite from an infected tick
Risk factorsAge, being immunocompromised, having received an organ transplant, certain medications

Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne bacterial infection, caused by bacteria of the family Anaplasmataceae, genera Ehrlichia and Anaplasma. These obligate intracellular bacteria infect and kill white blood cells.

The average reported annual incidence is 2.3 cases per million people.

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