Ehrlichiosis
Alternate Names : Human monocytic ehrlichiosis, HME, Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, HGE, Human granulocytic anaplasmosis, HGA
Treatment
Antibiotics (tetracycline or doxycycline) are used to treat the disease. Young children should not take tetracycline by mouth until after all their permanent teeth have grown in, because it can permanently discolor growing teeth. Doxycycline used for 2 weeks or less typically does not cause discoloration of a child's permanent teeth.
Prognosis (Expectations)
Ehrlichiosis is rarely deadly. With antibiotics, patients usually improve within 24 - 48 hours. Recovery takes 3 weeks.
Complications
- Coma
- Death (rare)
- Kidney damage
- Lung damage
- Other organ damage
- Seizure
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Call your health care provider if you become sick after a recent tick bite or if you've been in areas where ticks are common. Be sure to tell your doctor about the tick exposure.
|
Previous
