Testing and Diagnosis for Ehrlichiosis

Key points

  • Ehrlichiosis symptoms can lead to more serious illness if untreated.
  • Blood tests can look for evidence of ehrlichiosis.
  • Test results may take several weeks.
  • If ehrlichiosis is suspected, treatment should be started while waiting for test results.
A testing vial of blood.

Why get tested

People with ehrlichiosis will often have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes upset stomach. If untreated, ehrlichiosis can cause severe illness.

A sick woman lies in bed, looking at a thermometer and holding her hand on her head.
Ehrlichiosis can lead to severe illness if not treated promptly.

When to get tested

  • Your healthcare provider can order certain blood tests to look for evidence of ehrlichiosis or other illnesses that can cause similar symptoms.
  • Test results may take several weeks.
  • If your healthcare provider thinks you have ehrlichiosis or another tickborne infection, they may prescribe antibiotics while you wait for test results.
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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)