Anaplasmosis: Symptoms and treatment

On this page

• Symptoms of anaplasmosis
• If you become ill
• Diagnosing anaplasmosis
• Treating anaplasmosis

Symptoms of anaplasmosis

Signs and symptoms of anaplasmosis can vary from person to person after being bitten by an infected blacklegged tick (deer tick) or western blacklegged tick. The first symptoms can appear within 5 to 21 days.

Early signs and symptoms of anaplasmosis may include:

• fever
• chills
• cough
• nausea
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• joint pain
• headache
• loss of appetite
• abdominal pain
• muscle aches and pain
• generally feeling unwell (malaise)

Serious signs and symptoms of anaplasmosis may include:

• bleeding
• seizures
• pneumonia
• organ failure
• joint stiffness
• heart complications
• lung inflammation
• difficulty breathing
• neurological problems and confusion
• septic or toxic shock-like syndrome
• coma

Death is rare and often due to organ failure.

Most people will have mild or moderate illness. Risk factors for severe illness may include:

• older age
• weakened immune system
• pre-existing health conditions

If you become ill

Early diagnosis and treatment of anaplasmosis can prevent complications. See your health care provider right away if you've been:

• bitten by a tick and develop symptoms of anaplasmosis
• to an area where blacklegged ticks or western blacklegged ticks may be found and develop symptoms of anaplasmosis

Tell your health care provider:

• where on your body the tick was attached
• how long you think the tick was attached to you
• where you were (area, city, province, and country) when you were bitten by the tick or may have been exposed to ticks

Learn more about:

• Ticks in Canada
• How to remove a tick
• How to prevent tick bites
• Provincial and territorial public health authorities

Diagnosing anaplasmosis

Diagnosing anaplasmosis can be challenging as symptoms may vary from person to person.

Symptoms of anaplasmosis can be like other illnesses. A diagnosis of anaplasmosis is based on:

• signs and symptoms
• exposure to blacklegged ticks or western blacklegged ticks
• travel or exposure to an area where blacklegged ticks or western blacklegged ticks may be found
• blood tests, when appropriate

Only get tested by a licensed public health laboratory. Testing by private, non-licensed laboratories may not be reliable.

Treating anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is treated with antibiotics. The earlier you receive treatment for anaplasmosis, the greater the chance of a successful recovery.