Rickettsiae are often associated with a very specific ticks. The incubation period for Ehrlichiosis is approximately 9 days from the time of tick bite . A maculopapular or petechial rash appears in over half the cases and the disease may be mistaken for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The symptoms are often quite general but the infected individual is usually sick enough to seek medical attention. Ehrlichiosis can be fatal.
Recovery takes three weeks.
The organism is sensitive to tetracycline and treatment results in improvement in 24 to 48 hours. Ehrlichiosis is spread by tick bites. Preventing tick bites will prevent Ehrlichiosis and many other tick-borne diseases. Common measures include the use of insect repellent, appropriate clothing, sticking to trails and avoiding dense brush when hiking and not standing under overhanging foliage. After hiking or outings in the woods it is a good idea to examine yourself for ticks and remove any that may be found.