Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a potentially severe, and sometimes fatal tick-borne disease caused by an infection with a red blood cell parasite. A more severe and prolonged illness is more likely to be found in persons older than 60, those who have had their spleen removed, and those who are immunocompromised (e.g. persons with HIV infection or AIDS).

At-Risk Populations

Babesiosis is sometimes fatal, especially in the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, and those who have had their spleens removed.

How It Spreads

It spreads through the bite of infected ticks.

Prevention

Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Babesiosis, Ehrliochiosis, and other tickborne infections. There are several steps you and your family can take to prevent and control tick borne diseases:

• On people
• On pets
• In the yard

Removing Ticks

• Using a pair of pointed (fine-tipped) tweezers, grasp the mouthparts of the tick as close to the skin as possible.
• Pull the tick straight out with a firm and steady force.
• Wash the area of the bite thoroughly with soap and water.
• Do not attempt to remove the tick by touching it with a burnt match or swabbing it with alcohol or petroleum jelly.  (This will only aggravate the tick and cause it to release more bacteria into the blood stream.)
• Do not squeeze the tick’s body when removing it and do not handle the tick with bare hands.

It takes roughly a day or two for ticks to transmit bacteria it is important to remove ticks from your skin as soon as you discover them. If there is a concern about incomplete tick removal, please contact your healthcare provider. (more)

Symptoms

Most people in the US who become infected with babesiosis will experience no symptoms, but others could have fatigue, fever, malaise, jaundice, and anemia. Symptoms can last from several days to several months and usually appear 1-4 weeks after infection. In asymptomatic individuals, the disease typically goes away on its own.

Testing & Diagnosis

In symptomatic people, babesiosis usually is diagnosed by examining blood specimens under a microscope and seeing Babesia parasites inside red blood cells. Other methods such as serology and molecular methods can also be used.

Treatment

Babesiosis can be treated with antibiotics.