Most infections are mild or without symptoms, but some can be severe and life-threatening.
Ehrlichiosis can usually be treated with antibiotics. Prevention centers on avoiding exposure to ticks and removing attached ticks promptly. Ehrlichiosis is a newly recognized and potentially life-threatening disease that is spread by ticks. Ehrlichiosis is caused by specialized bacteria called rickettsiae. HME is caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis .