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PubMed This is a summary of 66 peer-reviewed journal articles Updated
Infectious Disease

The Patient's Guide to Babesiosis

At a Glance

Babesiosis is a tick-borne illness caused by a microscopic parasite that infects red blood cells. Proper care involves testing for co-infections, monitoring for severe symptoms like breathing issues, and preventing future tick bites using EPA-registered repellents and thorough tick checks.

Being diagnosed with a tick-borne illness like Babesiosis can be frightening, especially if you have never heard of it. Unlike Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria, Babesiosis is caused by a microscopic parasite that infects your red blood cells.

This guide is designed to empower you with the facts about your diagnosis, from understanding the biology of the parasite to making sense of your lab reports and treatment options. It translates complex medical information into clear, actionable knowledge so you can partner effectively with your medical team.

Table of Contents

01

Validation and Orientation: Understanding Babesiosis

Learn about Babesiosis, a tick-borne parasitic infection. Understand how it affects red blood cells, common transmission methods, and treatment options.

02

Symptoms, Progression, and Co-infections

Learn about Babesiosis symptoms, progression, and recovery. Understand signs of hemolysis like dark urine, and the risks of Lyme disease co-infections.

03

The Biology of Babesia: A Microscopic View

Learn about the biology of the Babesia parasite. Understand how it infects red blood cells, differs from Malaria, and what a Maltese cross means for diagnosis.

04

Testing and Understanding Your Pathology Report

Learn how to read your Babesiosis pathology report and lab tests. Understand blood smears, PCR results, parasitemia percentage, and hemolysis markers.

05

Standard of Care Treatment

Learn about standard treatments for Babesiosis, including atovaquone, azithromycin, clindamycin, and quinine regimens, plus care for severe parasitic infections.

06

High-Risk Populations and Complications

Learn about severe babesiosis in high-risk groups like the elderly, immunocompromised, and those without a spleen. Understand complications and treatments.

Preventing Future Exposures

Even after you fully recover from Babesiosis, you can be infected again by another tick bite. To protect yourself and your family:

  • Use Repellents: Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin, and use EPA-registered repellents like DEET or Picaridin on your skin.
  • Perform Tick Checks: Always check your body thoroughly after spending time in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas. Ticks often hide in the hairline, behind the ears, and in the armpits.
  • Shower Promptly: Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off unattached ticks and provides a good opportunity to do a tick check.

Common questions in this guide

What is Babesiosis?
Babesiosis is a disease caused by a microscopic parasite that infects your red blood cells. Unlike Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria, Babesiosis requires different diagnostic tests and medical treatments to clear the parasite from your body.
Should I be tested for other tick-borne infections?
Yes, because ticks can carry multiple diseases, it is common to contract other infections like Lyme disease from the same tick bite. You should ask your doctor about running specific lab tests to ensure no other tick-borne infections are missed.
When should I seek immediate medical attention for Babesiosis?
You should contact your medical team right away if your symptoms suddenly worsen during recovery. It is especially important to seek care if you experience new or worsening difficulty breathing or notice a rapid heart rate.
How can I prevent another Babesiosis infection?
You can prevent future infections by treating your clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin and applying EPA-registered repellents like DEET or Picaridin to your skin. Additionally, perform thorough tick checks and shower within two hours of spending time in wooded or grassy areas.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Curated prompts to bring to your next appointment.

  1. 1.What specific tests are we running to ensure I don't have other tick-borne infections?
  2. 2.Who should I call if my symptoms suddenly worsen, particularly my breathing or my heart rate?
  3. 3.Are there specific activities I should avoid while my body is recovering from this infection?

Questions For You

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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your infectious disease specialist or primary care doctor for diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne illnesses.

Get notified when new evidence is published on Babesiosis.

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