Ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichiosis is the general name used to describe diseases caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, or E. muris eauclairensis in the United States.
These bacteria are spread to people primarily through the bite of infected ticks including the Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum), American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and the Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis) and (I. pacificus)
Ehrlichiosis Symptoms
Symptoms of ehrlichiosis vary widely from person to person and can include: Fever, Chills, Headache, Muscles aches or pains, Joint pain, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea or Loss of appetite. Rash seems to manifest more often in children rather than adults. The rash (red splotches or pinpoint dots) usually develops 5 days after fever begins.
Late-stage symptoms can include: inflammation of the brain (meningoencephalitis). Respiratory failure, organ failure, uncontrolled bleeding, and death.
