infections
Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis
Treatment of Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis
Antibiotics If people who may have been exposed to infected ticks have typical symptoms, treatment for ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis is usually started before test results are available. When treatment is started early, most people respond rapidly and well. A delay in treatment may lead to serious complications, including death in 2 to 5% of people. Doxycycline, a type of antibiotic called atetracycline, is usually used. People take this antibiotic until they improve and have had no fever for 24 to 48 hours, but they must take it for at least 7 days. Although some tetracyclines taken for longer than 10 days can cause tooth staining in children younger than 8 years old, a short course (5 to 10 days) ofdoxycyclinein children of all ages is recommended and can be used without causing tooth staining or weakening of tooth enamel (see alsoCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Research on doxycycline and tooth staining). Some people continue to have headaches and feel weak and generally unwell for weeks after treatment. 