Anyone can become infected with Ehrlichia, although most cases have occurred among adults. Individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors in tick infested areas from April through October are at greatest risk of becoming infected. Ehrlichiosis is spread by the bite of an infected tick. In New Jersey, the most commonly infected ticks are the deer tick, the dog tick, and the lone star tick. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches and weakness.
Some patients can also experience nausea, vomiting and a skin rash.
Although the illness is usually mild, severe to life-threatening illnesses can occur. Symptoms generally occur between one to three weeks after a bite from an infected tick. Not all tick bites will result in an infection. It appears that Ehrlichia-infected ticks require 24 to 48 hours of attachment to the skin before humans can become infected. Special laboratory tests of the blood can detect infection with Ehrlichia bacteria.