Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease: Coinfection Symptoms and Treatment

Anaplasmosis and Lyme disease can occur together after the same tick bite, producing an acute febrile illness with high fever, severe headache, and characteristic laboratory abnormalities.

Anaplasmosis and Lyme disease coinfection can lead to more severe symptoms early, often with high fever and abnormal lab findings.

The same black-legged tick that transmits Lyme disease can also carry Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the bacterium responsible for anaplasmosis. When present, this coinfection can make patients feel significantly sicker, much earlier, than expected with Lyme disease alone.

For a broader overview, see our coinfections hub.

Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.

Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention