Ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichiosis (pronounced: er-lik-e-o-sis) is a term used to describe several bacterial diseases that affect animals and humans. The name "Ehrlichiosis" is derived from the bacterium genus Ehrlichia, named after the German microbiologist Paul Ehrlich.
Definition
Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by bacteria of the Ehrlichia genus. These bacteria infect white blood cells, causing symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. If left untreated, Ehrlichiosis can become severe and potentially life-threatening.
Causes
Ehrlichiosis is primarily caused by two species of bacteria: Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii. These bacteria are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick, particularly the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis).
Symptoms
The symptoms of Ehrlichiosis typically appear within 1-2 weeks after a tick bite and may include fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, joint pains, confusion, and occasionally a rash.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Ehrlichiosis is typically based on symptoms, geographical location, and possible exposure to tick bites. Laboratory tests can confirm the diagnosis by detecting antibodies against the bacteria or by identifying the bacteria in a blood sample.
Treatment
Ehrlichiosis is typically treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. If treated early, recovery is usually complete. However, if left untreated, the disease can become severe and potentially life-threatening.
Prevention
Prevention of Ehrlichiosis primarily involves avoiding tick bites through the use of insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants, and checking for ticks after spending time in wooded or grassy areas.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ehrlichiosis
- Wikipedia's article - Ehrlichiosis
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski