Symptoms & Signs
The time between the tick bite and when symptoms occur is about 7 – 9 days. This is called the incubation period.
Symptoms may seem like the flu (influenza), and may include:
- Chills
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
Other possible symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Fine pinhead-sized areas of bleeding in the skin (petechial rash)
- Flat red rash (maculopapular rash)
- General ill feeling (malaise)
A rash appears in fewer than half of cases. Sometimes, the disease may be mistaken for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The symptoms are often quite general, but patients are sometimes sick enough to see a doctor.
Diagnosis & Tests
The doctor will do a physical exam and check your vital signs, including:
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Temperature
Other tests include:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Granulocyte stain
- Fluorescent antibody test
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Ehrlichiosis : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Ehrlichiosis : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Ehrlichiosis : Treatment
Review Date : 12/3/2009
Reviewed By : A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital (8/28/2009).
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