mensenehrlichiosis

Also known as human ehrlichiosis

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.

Key facts

Medical condition.name: Ehrlichiosis
Medical condition.image: Amblyomma americanum tick.jpg
Medical condition.caption: The lone star tick, which is one of three ticks that can spread Ehrlichiosis. It is characterized by the white dot on its back.
Medical condition.symptoms: Fever, chills, severe headaches, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, confusion, splotchy or pinpoint rash
Medical condition.complications: Brain or nervous system damage, respiratory failure, uncontrollable bleeding, organ failure, death
Medical condition.causes: Bite from an infected tick
Medical condition.risks: Age, being immunocompromised, having received an organ transplant, certain medications