Babesiosis is a malaria-like illness that is spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. It can occur on its own or in conjunction with Lyme disease. The latter will exacerbate symptoms like fever, fatigue, and anemia. With climate change, an increase in tick populations, and greater awareness, there has been a noticeable rise in co-infections, including babesiosis. To find healing, a proper diagnosis and treatment are necessary, requiring testing for both.
Most people know about Lyme disease and that it is a tick-borne illness they want to avoid. But did you know it isn’t the only danger posed by these tiny creatures? Babesiosis is another type of infection. One single tick bite can leave you with more than one illness. This means doctors must not only catch Lyme disease, but be on the lookout for co-infections, too.
You can relax and take a deep breath—there is good news. When you take the time to understand babesiosis and its symptoms, you may be able to get the treatment you need more quickly.
This article breaks down what babesiosis is, why it often appears with Lyme disease, and steps you should take if infected.
What is Babesiosis?
Babesiosis is a disease caused by tiny parasites that infect red blood cells, similar to malaria. Found primarily in blacklegged or deer ticks, one carrying the infection can transfer it to the unsuspecting victim with a bite. These ticks are found in grassy or wooded areas, and they feed on local animals like white-tailed deer, mice, dogs, horses, and more. If the host is infected with Basesia parasites, the tick can then spread the infection to its next host, which could be you.
Being aware of this illness and taking swift action at the first sign of a tick encounter is of the utmost importance.
Understanding Co-Infections
Ticks can carry Babesia parasites alone or along with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria that cause Lyme disease. As a result, some patients will be dealing with two different infections at the same time.
So, what does this mean for your body?
When Babesiosis and Lyme come together, they can cause a mix of symptoms with possible intensification. Let’s take a closer look.
Signs of Babesiosis usually include fever, chills, sweats, fatigue, and anemia, due to the red blood cells being attacked. On the other hand, Lyme often presents with fever, rash, fatigue, and body aches. Patients who are infected with both may find themselves with hard-to-treat fevers, exhaustion, and blood-related issues.
Why Co-Infections Are On the Rise
Indeed, Babesiosis is not nearly as well-known as Lyme. You don’t hear about it as often—or even at all. But we have seen an increase in cases, and its presence is growing around the world in areas where blacklegged ticks are common in the United States, such as in the northern Midwest and northeast. Cases have also been reported in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America.
What’s behind this rise in infection? Why has it become more prevalent? There are a few factors that may be responsible.
An Increase in Tick Populations
A greater number of ticks means a greater chance of infection. Blacklegged ticks are known for making their way into populated, suburban areas where people actively live and work. This puts many at risk.
Climate Change
Winters with warmer weather mean that habitats can expand, giving ticks more places to thrive. And since they are most active when the temperatures are mild, tick season is longer.
Greater Awareness
Medical professionals and labs are more aware of babesiosis and more inclined to check for it today than ever before. This leads to more cases being diagnosed and greater reporting.
How Co-Infections Impact Diagnosis and Treatment
While babesiosis is becoming more well-known, it is still not as familiar as Lyme disease. Even in patients with tick bites, it may not be something every doctor tests for. Unfortunately, this can cause a diagnosis to be missed.
See, the lab work done to confirm the illness needs to be specific. Lyme antibodies, Babesia-specific markers, and blood counts can all be used to make a proper diagnosis. But, of course, this falls onto the doctor to make the call. If the request for these specific labs isn’t ordered, the condition can very easily be overlooked.
Co-infections also play a role in treatment success, too. After all, if your medical team is solely focused on treating Lyme disease with antibiotics, babesiosis is going to run rampant in the body since it requires anti-parasitic treatments.
Treatment that addresses both infections is critical for healing. At Lyme Mexico, we understand that a coordinated effort must be made to help rescue the immune system and repair the damage throughout the body. Travel outside the country, such as outside the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand and find alternate treatments that will give you relief.
Awareness is Key
Let’s be real—if you are someone who likes to camp, visit parks, work outside, garden, or simply spend time outdoors, you need to know about Lyme disease and babesiosis, as well. Education is so important for knowing what to look for, getting the right diagnosis, and ultimately, the right treatment.
Knowing how to prevent a tick infection in the first place is also the ideal scenario. Staying vigilant and informed can give you an advantage when it comes to stopping tick infections before they escalate.
How Lyme Mexico Manages Co-Infections
Our team of specialists at Lyme Mexico understands that the threat isn’t just Lyme—it’s multiple infections at once, such as babesiosis. And they are hidden in ticks. Knowing how they spread alongside Lyme makes it easier to understand all the symptoms you or other patients may be experiencing.
We make sure our clinic uses the latest and best diagnostic testing and treatment protocols. Coming up with a personalized strategy will allow the treatment to address the specific infections each patient is carrying, yielding the best outcome.
If you are suffering from a tick-borne illness such as Lyme, babesiosis, or something else, don’t settle for incomplete care. Dig deeper and get to the root cause of your symptoms with Dr. Omar Morales and his team at Lyme Mexico. Schedule a consultation and become a patient today.