A rare infectious disease spread by deer ticks
Babesiosisis a rare infectious disease sparked by microorganisms called protozoa.
Symptoms
Babesiosis may not cause symptoms.
Sometimes, it may be longerup to six months.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Some people will get very sick after being bitten by a tick carryingBabesia.
Most otherwise-healthy people who become infected withBabesiamay not even know since they don’t feel sick.
If they do get sick from babesiosis, symptoms are generally mild.
In fact, babesiosis is sometimes described as being a “malaria-like” disease.
In Europe, babesiosis is caused byB.
Despite their name, deer ticks are not only found on deer.
They may attach themselves to many wild and domestic animals, humans included.
A tick infected withB.
microtineeds to stay attached for3648 hoursto transmitBabesiato a host.
In very rare instances,Babesiahas been transmitted human-to-human viablood transfusion.
The first-line treatment is antibiotic therapy.
Depending on the patient, several different antibiotics can be used.
Babesiosis is treatable, even curable, but the best strategy is prevention.
A Word From Verywell
Babesiosis is treatable, even curable, once diagnosed.
The best strategy is prevention.
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Vannier E, Gewurz BE, Krause PJ.Human Babesiosis.Infectious Disease Clinics of North America.
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