Is this a strange fever that comes from ticks? Let's learn about Babesiosis!

Have you ever been walking in the woods or seen a tick hanging around your house? Sometimes these little creatures can be quite annoying. Today we are going to talk about a disease that is transmitted by ticks and that you should be careful about. This is called Babesiosis. Although the name may sound strange, it is very important to know about it.

What is Babesiosis? Simply put...

Babesiosis is a disease caused by a parasite called Babesia (which actually comes from a number of animal species). Think of it like a little thief, infiltrating your body and causing illness. It's mainly spread by ticks, such as infected blacklegged ticks . But, rarely, it can also be spread through an organ transplant .

Babesiosis usually causes symptoms similar to those of a cold , such as fever and body aches. However, because this parasite destroys your red blood cells , it can sometimes cause life-threatening complications. This is especially true if you have a weakened immune system . One of the most common complications is hemolytic anemia . This means that your red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced.

Where is Babesiosis most common?

Babesiosis is a disease that occurs in areas where the Babesia parasite and the ticks that carry it live together. These areas are found in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In the Americas, it is most common in the Northeast and the upper Middle East. But we need to be aware of tick-borne diseases in Sri Lanka as well.

This is not a very common disease, meaning that only a small number of cases are reported each year. However, it is considered an ``emerging infectious disease.'' This means that the number of patients has been increasing recently.

What are the symptoms of Babesiosis?

Symptoms of Babesiosis begin about one to four weeks after the parasite enters the body. These symptoms include:

• High fever
• Fatigue, tiredness
• Feeling cold (chills)
• Sweating
• Headache
• Body pain, joint pain
• Appetite
• Cough

But surprisingly, about one in four people do not show any symptoms . Unlike other tick-borne diseases, this one does not usually cause a rash.

Symptoms of severe babesiosis

Sometimes this disease can become severe and may cause additional symptoms such as:

• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) (this is also a symptom of jaundice)
• Paleness of the skin `(pallor)`
• Dark-colored urine
• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Neck stiffness
• Sudden changes in mood, or excessive emotional responses (emotional lability or PBA)

Important: If you have these symptoms, especially if you think you may have been bitten by a tick, you should see a doctor immediately.

Can Babesiosis cause weight loss?

Weight loss is not a major symptom of this disease, but if you are unable to eat due to things like loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, you may lose some weight.

What causes Babesiosis?

Babesiosis is caused by several types of parasites called Babesia . These Babesia are single-celled organisms belonging to the group of protozoa . That is, animals that are too small for us to see without a microscope. When a tick bites you, these parasites enter your bloodstream. There, they infect your red blood cells and destroy them. If the disease is not very severe, you may only feel tired. However, if you have a weak immune system, this infection can cause life-threatening complications.

In the United States, the main cause of symptomatic babesiosis is B. microti . B. duncani, B. divergens, B. venatorum, and B. crassa also occasionally cause disease.

How do we get Babesiosis?

Babesiosis is transmitted from animals to humans when a tick bites an infected animal (usually a small mammal like a mouse) and then the tick bites you . The parasite then infects your blood cells and spreads there.

In the Americas, the main vector of the parasite that causes Babesiosis is the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) . These black-legged ticks transmit many other diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. This tick is also called the "deer tick", but deer do not usually get Babesiosis. In Europe, the castor bean tick (I. ricinus) transmits the Babesia parasite.

Another way is through blood transfusion . This happens if the person who donates blood has contracted the infection without knowing it.

Is Babesiosis contagious from person to person?

No, Babesiosis is not spread from person to person . Very rarely, it can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her unborn child.

When is Babesiosis most likely to occur?

Babesiosis is most common in the spring and summer months . This is because young ticks (called nymphs) emerge in the spring, and they are more likely to carry the Babesia parasite than larger ticks.

These little ticks (nymphs) are very small (about the size of a mustard seed), so they are hard to see. They mature into large ticks in the summer. Even a large tick can cause Babesiosis, but because they are easy to see, you have a better chance of removing them before they eat you.

Who is most at risk for Babesiosis?

Although anyone can get babesiosis, you are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill if you:

• If your immune system is weak. For example, HIV/AIDS, cancer, immune system diseases, and some medications can weaken the immune system.
• If you don't have a spleen, or if your spleen isn't working properly.
• If you are over 60 years old.

What are the possible complications of Babesiosis?

Babesiosis can cause life-threatening complications, especially if your immune system is weak. Some of these include:

• Hemolytic anemia: Parasites can destroy so many red blood cells that your body can't make new ones to replace them. This can lead to heart disease and heart failure.
• Splenomegaly or hepatomegaly: An enlarged spleen can lead to a ruptured spleen.
• Fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema): This can cause difficulty breathing and lead to heart or respiratory failure.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): DIC is a problem with the way your blood clots. This can cause uncontrolled bleeding (hemorrhage).
• Damage and failure of other organs: This includes acute kidney injury / renal failure and liver failure.

How is Babesiosis diagnosed?

Babesiosis is diagnosed with a blood test . Your doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms and health history. If you have recently been in an area where ticks are likely to bite (within the past three weeks), tell your doctor , even if you don't remember being bitten. It's also important to tell your doctor if you have had a blood transfusion in the past six months.

If your doctor thinks you might have babesiosis, he or she will order tests to check for parasites in your blood. He or she will also check for other diseases that cause similar symptoms.

What are the treatments for Babesiosis?

Your doctor can treat babesiosis with a combination of medications . These include antiprotozoals, antibiotics, and antimalarial drugs . These can be given to you as an IV (intravenous) or as pills or liquids that you swallow.

If you are very sick, you may need other treatments, such as a blood transfusion, to get better.

Medications used for Babesiosis:

The doctor may treat you with this combination of medications:

• Atovaquone
• Azithromycin
• Clindamycin
• Quinine

Treatments used for Babesiosis:

If you are very sick, your doctor may use other treatments, such as:

• Blood transfusion: If your red blood cell count is very low, a doctor can give you donated blood to increase your count.
• Exchange transfusion: If you have a lot of parasites in your blood, a doctor may give you an exchange transfusion. In this procedure, the doctor removes some of your blood and replaces it with donated blood.
• Mechanical ventilation: If you can't breathe properly on your own, a doctor will connect you to a machine (a ventilator) that helps you breathe.
• Dialysis: If your kidneys are not working properly, dialysis takes over the function of the kidneys.

How to protect yourself from Babesiosis?

If you live in an area where this disease is prevalent, or if you are traveling to one, it is best to avoid ticks . Here are some things you can do to avoid ticks:

• Don't let the grass get taller than 5 inches. Ticks sit in tall grass waiting for someone to feed.
• When walking in the woods, only follow cleared paths.
• Use approved bug sprays that repel ticks (usually those containing DEET).
• When going into forests or areas with long grass, wear clothing that covers as much of your body as possible. If you are someone who frequently goes to areas where ticks are present, you can also buy pre-treated clothing with a liquid that repels ticks.
• After returning from outside during the warmer months, check yourself for ticks. If possible, have someone else check areas you can't see (like your head or back).
• Ask your veterinarian about the best way to protect your pets from ticks. Check your pets regularly for ticks, especially after they have been outside.
• If you have a tick on your body, follow the exact procedure for safely removing it.

What can be expected with this situation?

What to expect if you find out you have babesiosis depends on how sick you were when you were diagnosed, and whether you are at risk of becoming seriously ill:

• If you have a healthy immune system and the illness is not too severe , it may go away on its own. A doctor will see if you will get better without treatment.
• If you are at high risk of becoming seriously ill , a doctor will treat you with medication.
• If you are very sick , a doctor will admit you to the hospital. There, they will treat the Babesia infection and any complications. They will also have regular blood tests to see how you are responding to treatment.

How long can Babesiosis last?

If your immune system is strong, Babesiosis can last for about a week or two . If a doctor treats you with medicine, you may start to feel better in a day or two. If your immune system is weak, Babesiosis can last a long time - months or even years .

Can Babesiosis recur?

Sometimes, Babesiosis symptoms can go away and then come back (relapse). If this happens, your doctor will need to treat you again. If your immune system is weak, you are more likely to get the disease again .

Are there any lingering effects after Babesiosis?

You may feel tired for a few months , even after your other symptoms improve. You should be fully recovered once your red blood cell count returns to normal. Ask your doctor how long it will take for you to recover.

Hope for Babesiosis

Most people recover completely from babesiosis. However, about one in ten people hospitalized with the disease die . So it is not a disease to be taken lightly.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have symptoms of Babesiosis and may have been bitten by a tick, see a doctor immediately . If you have a weakened immune system, seek medical advice if you have any signs of infection.

When should you go to an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

If you have symptoms of a serious illness, go to the nearest emergency room. Symptoms include:

• A fever of more than 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.44 degrees Celsius).
• Severe difficulty breathing.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
• Confusion or other mental changes.
• Severe stomach pain.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

Here are some questions that may be helpful to ask your doctor:

• How should I take my medicine?
• How long do I need treatment for?
• What home remedies can I take for my symptoms?
• What new or worsening symptoms should I watch out for?
• How soon will I feel better?
• When should I come see you again?

What is the difference between Babesiosis and Malaria?

Although there are many similarities between Babesiosis and Malaria, they are two different diseases . They are treated with different medications, so it is important to make an accurate diagnosis.

Babesiosis:

• It infects and damages blood cells.
• At first, the fever feels like a cold.
• It could get worse.
• The cause is a protozoan parasite (`(Babesia)`).
• It is spread by ticks.
• Abundant in America.
• When viewed under a microscope, they look like rings. Sometimes a "Maltese cross" shape (four ovals) can be seen.

Malaria:

• It infects and damages blood cells.
• At first, the fever feels like a cold.
• If left untreated, it will get worse.
• The cause is a protozoan parasite (`(Plasmodium)`).
• It is spread by mosquitoes.
• Abundant in Africa.
• When viewed under a microscope, they look like rings.

Is Babesiosis the same as Lyme disease?

Although babesiosis and Lyme disease are transmitted by the same species of tick (I. scapularis), they are two different diseases . Babesiosis is caused by a parasite, while Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium.

Finally, things to remember

So, now you know that Babesiosis is a disease caused by a parasite called Babesia. If your immune system is strong, you are less likely to get very sick from it . However, if your immune system is weak, or if your spleen is not working properly, it can be life-threatening .

The best thing to do is to get treatment as soon as possible. Babesiosis can be cured with medication. Also, avoiding ticks is the best way to protect yourself from this disease.

If you have any further questions about this, don't hesitate to ask your doctor. Stay healthy!

` Babesiosis, ticks, parasite, red blood cells, anemia, fever, blood donation