Have you been bitten by a tick? Learn about Anaplasmosis!

You may have felt achy and feverish after a walk in the woods, or after working or playing in the garden. Sometimes, things like this can happen unexpectedly, all because of a tiny tick. Today we are going to talk about a tick-borne disease that you should be aware of. That is a condition called anaplasmosis.

What is Anaplasmosis?

Simply put, anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection . The bacteria that causes it is called `(Anaplasma phagocytophilum)`. It enters our bodies when we are bitten by an infected tick. It starts with minor symptoms like fever and chills, but if not treated quickly, it can become serious. Some people also call it `(human granulocytic anaplasmosis - HGA)`.

How common is this disease?

In countries like America, it is reported that about 5,000 to 6,000 people develop this disease every year. Although it can occur at any time of the year, it is most common in the months of June, July, October, and November. This is because the blacklegged tick is most active during that time. Since ticks are also present in our country, it is very important to be aware of this.

What are the symptoms of Anaplasmosis?

Symptoms of this disease usually begin to appear within a week or two after a tick bite. The main symptoms that can be seen are:

• Very hot.
• Chills
• Headache
• Body aches, muscle aches
• Tiredness, fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach ache
• A skin rash (this is a little less common)

Important: If you see these symptoms and think, "This is just a common cold," and don't treat it, the condition can get worse. You may even develop more serious symptoms, such as loss of consciousness and seizures.

Why does Anaplasmosis occur?

As we mentioned earlier, the main cause of this is the bacteria `(Anaplasma phagocytophilum)`. This bacteria enters our bodies through ticks called `(blacklegged ticks)` (also called deer ticks) and `(western blacklegged ticks)`. When these ticks suck the blood of animals like deer, mice, cattle, and horses, if those animals are infected with this bacteria, the tick also gets infected. Then, when that tick bites us, the bacteria enters our bodies.

Imagine, a friend of yours, let's say Kasun, went for a walk in a forest near Nuwara Eliya. A few days later, he developed a high fever, body aches, and a headache. It was only when he saw a doctor that he learned that he had contracted anaplasmosis from a tick bite. Therefore, you should be very careful when going to forests and places with a lot of grass.

Very rarely, it has been reported that this disease can be transmitted through blood transfusion .

Who is at higher risk of contracting this disease?

Anyone can get anaplasmosis. However, some people are more likely to get seriously ill from it. These include:

• People over 50 years old
• People with weakened immune systems. For example, people with HIV, cancer patients, or those taking immunosuppressant medications.
• If treatment is not sought within the first few days of the onset of symptoms.

What are the possible complications of Anaplasmosis?

If not treated promptly, or if your immune system is weak, anaplasmosis can cause serious complications. Some of them include:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) : This means that the lungs stop working properly.
• Respiratory failure
• Renal failure (acute kidney injury)
• Internal bleeding (hemorrhaging)
• An infection or swelling of the brain (meningoencephalitis)

These conditions can be life-threatening, which is why we recommend that you see a doctor immediately if you have any symptoms.

How is Anaplasmosis diagnosed?

The best way to diagnose anaplasmosis is to do a bacterial culture of a sample of your blood or other body fluid. However, because it can take several weeks for the bacteria to grow, your doctor will often have to decide whether to start treatment before the results are available.

In the meantime, a doctor can come to a preliminary conclusion based on these facts:

• Your symptoms and health history.
• Physical examination.
• Whether you have recently (within the past three weeks) been to an area where ticks may be present (even if you don't remember being bitten by a tick).
• Blood counts and other blood tests. These can provide results faster than bacterial cultures, but may not be as accurate.

What are the special blood tests for this?

A few blood tests can confirm a diagnosis of anaplasmosis. Your doctor will take a small prick from your arm and take a blood sample, which will be sent to a lab. The lab may do the following tests:

• Complete blood count: This checks the number of different cells in your blood compared to the normal number for someone without anaplasmosis.
• PCR tests (PCR tests - Polymerase chain reaction): This test can detect even very small amounts of the bacteria's genetic material (DNA or RNA) in a blood sample.
• Serology: This checks to see if you have antibodies against the bacteria that cause anaplasmosis.
• Bacterial culture: As mentioned earlier, this involves trying to grow bacteria from a blood sample.

How is Anaplasmosis treated?

Doctors treat anaplasmosis with an antibiotic called doxycycline . This is usually taken for 7 to 10 days. It is very important to take the medicine for the full duration prescribed by your doctor , and do not stop taking it even if your symptoms improve.

What happens if you get this disease? How do you recover?

In most cases, if treatment is started as soon as symptoms begin, you can recover completely without serious complications. However, depending on the severity of your illness, you may need to be hospitalized for treatment.

You will start to feel better within 24 to 48 hours of starting antibiotics. However, it may take several weeks to fully recover. So don't worry.

Is Anaplasmosis completely curable?

Yes, anaplasmosis can be completely cured with antibiotic treatment. However, as mentioned earlier, it may take some time for the symptoms such as lethargy and fatigue to completely disappear.

What is the risk of death from this disease?

The mortality rate for anaplasmosis is about 0.5%, which is about one in every two hundred people who get the disease. However, this rate can be higher in people with weakened immune systems.

How do you avoid anaplasmosis?

The best way to protect yourself from this is to protect yourself from ticks. You can do these things:

• Keep the grass in the garden cut no shorter than five inches.
• When walking in forested areas, only use cleared paths.
• Use bug sprays that contain DEET, which repels ticks. Or use another liquid that is approved for protection against ticks.
• When going into the woods or grassy areas, wear clothing that covers as much of your body as possible. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. If you frequently go to areas where ticks are present, you can also purchase tick-repellent clothing.
• Check your body for ticks after you come back from the outdoors. Don't forget to check areas that you don't usually pay attention to, such as your groin and armpits. If possible, have someone else check areas you can't see (like your back, head).
• Ask your veterinarian about the best way to protect your pets from ticks. Also, always check for ticks when they go outside.
• If you see a tick on your body, know exactly how to remove it safely and do so.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have been bitten by a tick – or have been in an area where ticks may be present – ​​and have symptoms of anaplasmosis, see a doctor immediately.

Also, if you've been bitten by a tick but don't have symptoms, it's still a good idea to talk to a doctor. While antibiotics alone won't stop anaplasmosis from developing, a doctor can tell you the following:

• Whether preventive antibiotics are needed to prevent other tick-borne illnesses.
• What symptoms should you be aware of?
• When should I see him or another doctor again?

When should you go to an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

If you have these severe symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room immediately:

• If the fever is higher than 40 degrees Celsius (103 Fahrenheit).
• If you cough up blood.
• If you have severe difficulty breathing.
• If there are changes in consciousness or confusion.
• If you have a severe stomach ache.
• If you have a seizure.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

When you visit your doctor, it may be helpful to ask questions like these:

• How exactly should I use this medicine?
• What other medications can I take to control my symptoms at home?
• What new symptoms or worsening of existing symptoms should I watch out for?
• How soon can I expect to recover?
• When should I see you again?

Are Anaplasmosis and Lyme disease the same thing?

Yes, anaplasmosis and Lyme disease are two different diseases. Both are caused by bacteria that are transmitted by ticks. However, Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, while anaplasmosis is caused by a bacterium called Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

Symptoms like fever and body aches can be seen in a number of other illnesses – many of which are not caused by ticks. However, at a time like this, when no other diseases are spreading, if you have recently been in an area where ticks are present and are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to talk to a doctor. He or she will tell you what tests and treatments you need, or whether you should keep an eye on your symptoms and see them again.

Finally, what to remember

So, you probably now understand that Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease that requires some care. The most important thing is to protect yourself from ticks. If you are outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas, don't forget to follow safety measures.

If you have symptoms, don't just assume "it's just a common cold," but see a doctor right away. Prompt treatment can help you completely cure this disease and prevent serious complications. Take care of your health!

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