While Lyme disease is the most commonly thought of infection when it comes to tick-borne illnesses, there are a myriad of others. Two other tick-borne diseases to be aware of are Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis.
Learning about the potential risks of tick bites and infections is an integral part of preventing long-term complications. Anaplasmosis is now the second most commonly reported tick-borne disease besides Lyme disease; it’s important to be aware of the symptoms, risks, and treatment options.
What are Ehrlichiosis & Anaplasmosis?
Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis are often grouped and referred to together due to their similarities.
The lone star tick, most commonly found in the Southwestern United States, transmits Ehrlichiosis to humans after feeding from an animal that is carrying it – most typically a white-tailed deer. This disease is also known as human monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME) and is caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia chaffeensis.
Anaplasmosis was formerly referred to as human granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE) and is now known as human granulocytic Anaplasmosis (HGA). Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This disease is spread by black-legged deer ticks, which are most common in the eastern half of the United States.
Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis & Anaplasmosis
Symptoms typically set in within one to two weeks following a tick bite. Early symptoms of both Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis include:
- Muscle aches
- Rash, more common with Ehrlichiosis
- Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Severe headache
- Confusion
- Joint pain
- Chills or fever
Both infections pose a risk of becoming fatal. This is why early detection and testing are crucial.
Should You Worry About Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis?
Whether or not someone should be worried about Ehrlichiosis or Anaplasmosis heavily depends on how careful they are when spending time outdoors. While the ticks that transmit these infections have a limited range in the US, their populations are spreading due to white-tailed deer migrations and population displacement. Even outside of their regional territories, being aware of the potential hazards that ticks present and avoiding them is the best way to protect against Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and other tick-borne diseases.
Who is at Risk of Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis?
Those who spend much of their time outdoors, especially in areas with brush or long grass, are at risk of Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis.
The peak time for tick activity is during the spring and summer months, though they are present year-round. When hiking, gardening, or otherwise engaging in outdoor activities, take care to tuck in long clothing and use a protective repellent to avoid tick bites.
Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis infect people of any age. It is not contagious from person to person, save for rare instances of organ transplant or blood donation.
Treating Ehrlichiosis & Anaplasmosis
The first step of treating any tick-borne disease is evaluating symptoms and performing laboratory tests to confirm the root of said symptoms. Laboratory tests will identify bacteria that may be causing the infection and track the immune system’s development of antibodies in response to an infection.
Someone who contracts Ehrlichiosis or Anaplasmosis may also be at risk for a coinfection with another tick-borne disease. Blacklegged, or “deer ticks,” which can cause Anaplasmosis, can also transmit Lyme disease and Babesiosis. The lone star tick, which can carry Ehrlichiosis, may also transmit the bacteria that causes Bourbon virus disease, tularemia, Heartland virus disease, and southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI).
If you know or suspect you have been bitten by a tick, or are displaying symptoms of Ehrlichiosis or Anaplasmosis, it’s essential also to be tested for other potential diseases these ticks may carry. Prompt treatment of Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis is necessary to prevent severe complications. The usual course of treatment involves using the antibiotics doxycycline or tetracycline.
Protecting Pets from Ehrlichiosis & Anaplasmosis
Humans aren’t the only species that can be affected by tick-borne diseases. Dogs, cats, and other pets are susceptible to them as well, especially Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis. That being said, they are more likely to occur in dogs than cats or other pets.
Cases of canine Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis that are caused by the bacteria E. canis tend to have the most severe symptoms. Canine monocytic Ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the brown dog tick, which can be found globally.
Symptoms of canine Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis may include:
- Fever
- Lymphadenopathy (swelling of lymph nodes)
- Splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen)
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count in blood)
These medical symptoms may not be apparent, so it’s important to know what signs to look for if your dog may have contracted a tick-borne disease:
- Stiffness
- Reluctance to walk
- Decreased stamina
- Loss of appetite
- Low mood
- Fluid retention in the limbs
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
Canine cases of Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis are more common in warmer months when ticks are more active. It is also more common in specific dog breeds – namely German Shepherds. Like humans, dogs with Ehrlichiosis or Anaplasmosis are also treated with antibiotics.
Dogs are not known to spread these diseases to humans. However, the presence of an infection may mean nearby humans are also at a higher risk of getting bit by an infected tick.
Tick-borne disease prevention
Like other tick-borne diseases, there is no vaccine to prevent Anaplasmosis or Ehrlichiosis. The best way to prevent these diseases is to avoid tick bites in the first place.
If you live in or are traveling to an area where these ticks are common, it’s important to take precautionary measures against tick bites. This is especially true if you spend time outside hiking or doing other activities.
Remember these tips the next time you are in a tick habitat:
- Use insect repellents that are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency
- Wear long sleeves and pants tucked into socks
- Thoroughly check yourself and your pets for ticks after possible exposure
- Stay on trails and avoid grassy, wooded areas
- Know how to properly remove a tick
In the event of a tick bite, seek out testing immediately. IGeneX offers the most accurate and comprehensive tick-borne disease testing available, including for Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis.