Ehrlichiosis is a type of disease transmitted by tick bites, as is anaplasmosis. The cause of this disease lies in bacteria of the Ehrlichia family , which are carried to humans and animals through these arthropods. Within this species of insects, the main carriers of said bacteria are the Lone Star and the black-legged or ‘deer ticks’. Both are very common in countries in the Midwest and South-Central United States , according to Mayo Clinic specialists.
Cause of ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichiosis is often confused with anaplasmosis . The reason is the similarity between the symptoms of these diseases and the mode of transmission . As with ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis is spread through tick bites. The major carriers of the disease are deer ticks from the United States and other species native to Asia and Europe . However, the bacteria that cause anaplasmosis is different from that of ehrlichiosis. The first gets its name from the anaplasma bacterium, which is in the same family as the ehrlichia bacterium.
The way in which the ehrlichiosis disease is transmitted, as we have mentioned, is through the bite of a tick or Ixodea . These parasites, from the Ixodidae family, are hematophagous . By this name is known the species that feed on blood, either totally or partially. Normally, ticks feed on birds and mammals, as explained by the iO Foundation. However, they can also feed on amphibians and reptiles.
ticks
These insects measure between 3 and 8 mm and have four pairs of legs . Throughout their lives, they go through four stages of development: eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults. To feed, ticks embed their mouthparts in the host’s skin, using their teeth. As they feed, they increase in size, fattening up with the blood they consume.
They are classified according to two large groups. The first of these corresponds to hard ticks , which suck the blood of their host until they change phase . The moment this happens, they change hosts.
Soft ticks, on the other hand, only take up residence on an animal or human when they need to feed . Thus, they continually change hosts. This is why soft ticks are often the biggest culprits in disease transmission. However, hard ticks also represent a threat, including the Lone Star and the black-legged tick.
Ticks not only transmit ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, but they are also carriers of several pathogens, such as Borrelia sp or Francisella sp bacteria , as reported by the iO Foundation. In addition, to transmit the virus or bacteria they do not have to have been in direct contact with the pathogen . This is because, if the female tick was a carrier of the pathogen, her offspring will be too.
Symptoms of ehrlichiosis
At first, the tick bite happens. It should be emphasized that the host may not be aware of said bite , since the tick contains anesthetic components in its saliva that relieve pain.
At the moment in which the bite is perceived, the tick must be removed with great care and go to the doctor. This point is crucial, since the symptoms and severity of ehrlichiosis will largely depend on how advanced the disease is at the time of treatment.
In general, a period of approximately 14 days elapses from the moment the bite occurs until the first symptoms begin to appear. The symptomatology of ehrlichiosis is similar to that of the flu , which can cause confusion in the affected person. Symptoms range from fever to nausea , headache, muscle aches , diarrhoea, malaise and, rarely, the risk of death.
Treatment of ehrlichiosis
When you go to the specialist, he will perform a series of tests. Among them, the measurement of blood pressure , temperature and heart rate are common. Your doctor may also choose to perform a blood count or granulocyte stain , reports the US National Library of Medicine.
Once the specialist confirms the presence of ehrlichiosis, treatment will begin to treat said disease. This consists of taking antibiotics, usually tetracycline and doxycycline. In those cases in which the person cannot take any of the antibiotics mentioned, the procedure usually consists of substituting them for rifampin .
One of the great problems that arises in treatment is when the disease occurs in children who have not had all their teeth, since the aforementioned medications can alter the color of the teeth during their growth phase.
Beyond all of the above, ehrlichiosis is easy to treat and the patient usually improves between 24 and 48 hours after starting the medication. In some cases, recovery occurs after the first 3 weeks .
How to prevent ehrlichiosis?
First of all, in the event that you live with animals, such as dogs or cats, it is important that you keep an eye on them. To do this, examine your pet’s skin from time to time , rummaging through the hair. In addition, we recommend that you buy an anti-tick collar , since they are really effective.
On the other hand, if you live in a house with a garden or in the country, it is desirable that you keep tall grasses and weeds at bay.
In the event that you do not have pets or any of the aforementioned situations, you can also run the risk of transmitting the disease to you. The places that imply a greater risk are the gardens, parks or forests. If you are going to go to this type of site, you can prevent tick bites by using a repellent . For added protection, spray your clothing and personal belongings with specifically designed repellants. On the other hand, use a repellent for the skin that is exposed.
In addition, it is also advisable that you choose light colors when dressing. This way, you can easily tell if you have ticks. It is also convenient that you wear closed shoes and that you expose the minimum percentage of skin possible. When you’re back, take a quick shower and take a close look at yourself, especially where there’s hair or hair on your body.
If you do everything we tell you about, you will be able to prevent tick bites to a greater extent and, thus, ehrlichiosis.
