We all know about ticks in our homes and gardens. Although these little creatures that sometimes cling to our pets can be a bit annoying, did you know that they can also transmit serious diseases? Today, we are going to talk about a disease transmitted by ticks, which is not very common in our country, but is very worth knowing about. This is called Babesiosis.
What is Babesiosis?
Simply put, babesiosis is a disease that infects the red blood cells in our bodies. It is caused by a very small, invisible parasite called `Babesia`. The type that most affects humans is called `Babesia microti`. This parasite enters our bloodstream when we are bitten by a tick carrying it. It is similar to the dengue virus being transmitted by a dengue mosquito.
It is usually transmitted by ticks, but rarely, the disease can be spread through other means.
- Infected blood transfusion: If blood taken from someone with this disease is given to another person without being tested (blood transfusion), the disease can be transmitted.
- From mother to child: If the mother has this infection during pregnancy, the disease can be transmitted to the baby in the womb or during childbirth.
This disease is not found everywhere in the world. It is especially common in parts of America and Europe. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this if you are traveling abroad, especially if you are traveling to jungles and grassy areas.
What are the symptoms of this disease?
Most of the time, symptoms do not appear for about a week to eight weeks after being bitten by an infected tick. Some people may not have any symptoms at all. However, if symptoms do appear, they are very similar to those of a common viral flu.
The important thing is that ticks are creatures that can be as small as a poppy seed, so you may not even know if you've been bitten by a tick.
Let's learn more about these symptoms from the table below.
| Symptoms of Babesiosis | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms that usually appear first | |
| Fever | Feeling cold and shivering (Chills) |
| Headache | Body aches and fatigue |
| Appetite | Sweating |
| Symptoms that may occur when the condition is severe (due to Hemolytic Anemia) | |
| Yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mouth (Jaundice) | Dark urine (similar to the color of tea) |
| Dizziness and rapid heartbeat | Swelling of the spleen and liver |
| Severe weakness and dizziness | Very pale skin |
What is Hemolytic Anemia?
This is something that needs a little explanation. What happens in this disease is that the `Babesia` parasite enters our red blood cells and destroys them. In this way, when our body starts destroying red blood cells faster than it can produce new ones, we call that condition hemolytic anemia . Many of the serious symptoms in the table above occur because of this.
These symptoms can be particularly severe in the elderly, those who have had their spleen surgically removed, those who have a medical condition that weakens the immune system (such as HIV), or those who are taking medications (steroids, anticancer drugs) .
If you have these symptoms, especially if you have recently traveled abroad, see your doctor immediately .
How is the diagnosis made?
When you go to the doctor, he will ask you about your symptoms and any recent travel history. Then, he will order some blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.
The main test is to take a sample of your blood and look at it under a microscope. This can directly see if there are Babesia parasites inside the red blood cells.
In addition, other blood tests may be done to check for other tick-borne diseases (such as anaplasmosis or Lyme disease) that cause similar symptoms. Sometimes, two or three of these diseases can occur together.
Treatment and prevention
The best news is, there is a treatment for this.
Treatment methods
- If you have the infection but no symptoms , you may not need any treatment. Your body's immune system will heal it on its own.
- However, if you have symptoms , your doctor will prescribe medication. Usually, a combination of an antiparasitic drug (such as atovaquone) and an antibiotic (such as azithromycin) is given.
- In some cases, a combination of the drugs `quinine` and `clindamycin` may also be recommended.
The most important thing is that this treatment is decided by your doctor. Therefore, never go and take medicine as you please.
How to protect yourself from ticks?
The best way to avoid this disease is to protect yourself from ticks. This is especially important if you are going to an area where ticks are common (such as a forest or tall grass).
- Stay as far away as possible from areas with dense weeds, tall grass, and dry leaf litter .
- If you are going to such places, wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt . It is even better if you can tuck the ends of your pants into your socks.
- Wear light-colored clothing so that you can easily see a tick on your clothes.
- Apply insect repellent, preferably one containing DEET , to your skin and clothing.
- Before coming home from outside, carefully check your clothes and pets for ticks.
- When you get home, check your entire body carefully. Use a mirror for this. Pay special attention to areas like your armpits, groin, between your hairlines, and behind your ears.
- If you see a tick on your body, grab it close to the skin with pointed tweezers and slowly pull it straight up.
Take-Home Message
- Babesiosis is a parasitic infection transmitted by ticks that affects red blood cells.
- Although this is not common in Sri Lanka, it is seen in foreign countries, especially in America and some parts of Europe.
- Symptoms can range from common symptoms such as fever, body aches, and fatigue to more serious symptoms such as yellowing of the skin.
- The disease can be more severe in people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and those who have had their spleen removed.
- If you have these symptoms, especially after traveling abroad, contact your doctor immediately for advice.
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