Babesiosis (say: bab-e-see-oh-sis) is a rare infection of the blood caused by a parasite that lives in some ticks. Deer ticks typically carry the parasite that causes this illness.
Babesiosis infections are more common in animals than in humans, but cases have been reported in parts of the United States. Babesiosis has been reported most often in the upper midwest and the northeastern areas of the country, especially along the coasts.
Some people who have babesiosis may not have any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they are often similar to symptoms of the flu and include:
However, sometimes the illness can quickly become serious, and can even cause death, especially in people who have had their spleen removed, are elderly, have liver disease, have kidney disease or have weak immune systems (due to conditions such as the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS] and cancer). Babesiosis can affect people of all ages, but most people who get it are in their 40s or 50s.
People who spend time in areas where ticks are common (either for work or recreation) are at higher risk of getting tick-borne diseases. Ticks usually wait near the top of grassy plants and low bushes for people or animals to brush up against their perch. Ticks will often crawl upward on people's clothes or bodies for up to several hours or more before attaching to the skin.
Your doctor will need to do blood tests to see if you have this illness. Your doctor might also do blood tests to look for other infections that ticks can carry.
In people who have healthy immune systems and only mild cases of babesiosis, no treatment is typically needed. The body fights the infection on its own.
People who have a more severe case of babesiosis are usually treated with 2 types of antibiotics. If you develop shortness of breath or any other symptoms after you start taking the antibiotics, tell your doctor right away.
Some people who have very severe cases of babesiosis or weak immune systems need to go to a hospital to be treated.
The best way to prevent tick-borne diseases is to avoid being bitten by ticks. When you are outdoors, follow these guidelines:
During the months of May through September, stay away from places where ticks are common. This is especially important if you've had your spleen removed, if you have had an organ transplant or are taking immunosuppressant medicines (which weaken or suppress the immune system), if you have HIV infection, AIDS or other chronic conditions that affect your immune system.
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff