Anaplasma phagocytophila is often referred to as HGA, or Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis. HGA is most commonly transmitted by deer ticks, or black-legged ticks. Symptoms of HGA include fever, severe headache, muscle aches, chills, and shaking. When tested, patients also characteristically have thrombocytopenia (low presence of platelets in the blood), leucopenia (decrease in the number of white blood cells), and elevated serum transaminase levels. Once diagnosed, HGA can be treated with antibiotics.
