Babesiosis
by Ask a Healer
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Learning about babesiosis, also called babesia, will help you avoid the potentially serious, even fatal health complications.
What is Babesiosis and how do you get it?
Babesiosis, otherwise known as Babesia, is a blood-borne infection caused by Babesia microti and Babesia divergens protozoa. It is quite a rare infection that is often transmitted through ticks that also carry Lyme disease. This makes it possible for you to get infected with both Babesia and Lyme Diseases at the same. Both diseases are common during late spring, summer, and early fall.
In cases of Babesiosis, the protozoa reproduce inside the red blood cell until the cell bursts, resulting in decreased oxygen in the blood as well as complications due to blood cell fragments. You may also get infected with Babesia through a contaminated blood transfusion.
What are the symptoms of Babesiosis?
In most cases, the symptoms of Babesia will show after a 1 to 8 week incubation period following a tick bite from a tick infected with the protozoa. You may exhibit symptoms similar to those of a flu including:
* Fever
* Chills
* Headaches
* Muscle pain that can last up to several months
You may also experience an overall feeling of weakness as well as the following:
* Depression
* Anemia
* Jaundice
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Sweating, especially at night
Jaundice, dark urine, a swollen spleen, pain in the arms and legs and shortness of breath are additional symptoms which are specific to babesiosis infection. The symptoms of this type of infection may mimic those of malaria, and proper medical diagnosis is crucial to determine exact cause of illness.
Holistic Wellbeing Disclaimer: Lyme Disease and Babesia both present the potential for longterm complications if left untreated. If you have a tick bite followed by symptoms such as those reported for these diseases, it's vital that you get medical testing to rule out
