| By :
Patricia Strasser
Basesiosis is a rare yet complicated and fatal disease. Learning what this infection is all about will help you avoid all its serious complications. Here is some pertinent information that will give you enough understanding and awareness of Babesiosis to help you detect, diagnose, and immediately treat a potentially serious infection: What is Babesiosis and how is it contracted? Babesiosis, otherwise known as Babesia, is a blood-borne infection caused by Babesia microti and Babesia divergens protozoa. Ticks, which also carry Lyme Disease, often transmit another quite rare infection. This means there is the potential to have a Babesia and Lyme Disease infection at the same time. The late spring, summer and early fall months are the most common time for the diseases. You may also get infected with Babesia through a contaminated blood transfusion. What are the symptoms of Babesiosis? In almost all instances, Babesia symptoms show themselves after an incubation period of one to four weeks following a tick bite. You will probably show flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills headaches and muscle pain. They can last up to several months. Some of the common symptoms which may be felt by the individual who has fallen prey to the disease of Babesia could be some sort of depression, anemia, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, etc. and also sweating particularly during the night time. Often, the symptoms often mimic those of malaria How is Babesiosis diagnosed? Historically, treatment was often unsuccessful due confusing Babesiosis with Malaria. A fever is the only different symptom of Malaria. You can study the symptoms of Babesiosis. Your personal history, tick bite examination and a blood test are required to accurately diagnose it. The difference between the two diseases can be seen in a blood test. A so-called Maltese Cross appears in the red blood cells of patients with Babesiosis, indicating the presence of tetrads, and in patients with Malaria a circular formation is seen. Doctors use a variety of tests to diagnose this condition including IFA tests, PCC techniques and Giema stains. How is it treated? Doctors will often prescribe a combination of anti-parasite medications to treat Babesiosis. Antibiotics are useless against this infection as it is a parasitic infection rather than bacterial. An antibiotic, such as clindamycin, may be used in combination with other drugs, including quinine sulfate. Another antibiotic called Azithromycin can also be combined with an antimalarial drug called Atovaquone. For some situation, blood transfusions can be used as a Babesiosis treatment. What are its complications? Babesiosis, if not immediately or properly treated, can cause complications, especially in the elderly, those whose spleens have been removed, and those with weakened immune systems. In this dismal environment, deaths do happen, along with liver problems, low blood pressure, and severe anemia. The presence of Lyme disease complicates treatment. On the other hand, if you are healthy, Babesiosis should not be that harmful and can cause only momentary and mild health issues. What may be done to prevent Babesiosis? The best way to prevent Babesiosis is to make sure you do not get bitten by ticks. Thoroughly cover your body from head to toe when participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping or hunting. Wear clothing that adequately covers your arms and legs such as socks, closed-toed shoes, long pants and a shirt with long sleeves. You can also use insect repellents. Eventually, you should examine your body for ticks now and then, or following an outdoor activity in areas with grass and woods, specifically in the late spring, summer and the beginning of fall. During these time of year the occurrence of ticks is common. Do not worry too much about being infected with babesiosis as it is an exceedingly rare infection. You will be safe from this disease if you know how to prevent it, recognize its symptoms, and have a doctor treat it immediately.
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