Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infection caused by several types of rickettsiae, which invade and kill white blood cells. The American dog, brown dog, lone star, black-legged, and probably the Western black-legged ticks transmit the pathogens. There are two types of the human ehrlichiosis; human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) and human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME).


Signs/Symptoms:
Fever, malaise, headache, chills, severe muscle aches or pain, vomiting, anemia, lung infection, decrease in white blood cells, elevated liver enzymes. A rash occurs in a small percentage of people. Neurologic manifestations include seizures, meningitis, confusion, ataxia, cranial nerve palsy, and change in mental status. Delayed treatment can result in death.

| Home | S.C. News | Ticks - Facts, Diseases, Pictures, Map |
| Tick Removal and Removal Tools | Links | Story of Lyme Symbol |