What are the symptoms/conditions of human ehrlichiosis?
The signs and symptoms of both forms of human ehrlichiosis are identical. Patients characteristically present with fever, severe headache, malaise, muscle aches, chills, sweating, and nausea and vomiting. Less commonly occurring signs and symptoms include cough, joint pains, and confusion. Rash is rare but can occur anywhere on the body and is not restricted to the site of the tick bite. How do you get human ehrlichiosis? Ticks transmit both forms of human ehrlichiosis. HME infection has been associated with exposure to the lone star tick (Amblyoma americanum). HGE patients had evidence of exposure to the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) or the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). The deer tick is also the vector of human babesiosis and Lyme disease while the dog tick is the vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Is there a cure? Currently, human ehrlichiosis is treated with antibiotics. How can you protect yourself from ticks? The risk of being bitten by an infected tick can be
