Babesiosis:
A Common Tick-Borne Infection with Fatigue and Multisystem Symptoms and Disorders
In addition to Lyme-causing Borrelia bacteria, ticks can also transmit viruses and protozoa. Babesia is a malaria-like protozoal parasite that infects red blood cells. It is highly adapted to tick transmission, but can also be obtained via blood transfusions and maternal-fetal transfer. There are several Babesia species in ticks and cases have occurred in all 50 states and around the world. Children and young adults are more vulnerable due to their outdoor activities. Early Babesia infection in children will often cause the typical symptoms of acute babesiosis. Adolescents with sudden or gradual-onset neurological or behavioral symptoms risk being wrongly diagnosed with chronic fatigue or a mental illness.
Symptoms of chronic babesiosis range from none or mild to severe or life-threatening. Low physical and/or mental stamina may be the only symptom. Cognitive dysfunction ("brain fog") is also common. Some persons may have obvious physical symptoms like headaches, night sweats, air hunger, intestinal cramping and pain, insomnia, and tingling in their extremities. Others may have only psychiatric symptoms like anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger.
Regular laboratories only have tests for acute babesiosis caused by Babesia microti or Babesia duncani. They have no tests for the species that cause chronic babesiosis: Babesia odocoilei and Babesia divergens MO1. Babesia odocoilei is the most common cause of chronic babesiosis. It is found in up to 20% of deer ticks in the US, comparable to the Lyme bacteria in around 35%. Babesia odocoilei persists in the body indefinitely by its ability to create nests that block capillaries in the brain and other organs and tissues (sequestration). Sequestering Babesia species cannot be found in routine blood smears. The only labs that can detect chronic babesiosis are: IGeneX (FISH and Immunoblot), TLab (FISH), and Galaxy Diagnostics (PCR).
Early vs. Late Babesia Disease Symptoms: What to Watch For!
(Note: Some persons may have only one or two of these symptoms)
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Acute Signs and Symptoms: (Within weeks or months of infection)
Flu-like onset: fever, chills, sweating, fatigue, headache
Muscle aches and generalized body pain
Profound fatigue
Air hunger or shortness of breath disproportionate to activity
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Dark urine or mild jaundice (from red blood cell breakdown)
Anxiety, irritability, or low mood
Sleep disturbances
Nausea or loss of appetite
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Declining mental and/or physical stamina ("chronic fatigue")
Cognitive dysfunction with poor "big picture" integration
Low blood pressure ("POTS")
Cold Intolerance--can't stay warm
Episodic low-grade fevers or night sweats
Shortness of breath, chest pressure, or air hunger with minimal exertion
Migratory muscle or bone pain
Migratory tingling/numbness
Insomnia
Mood instability, anxiety, or panic attacks
Low red or white blood cell counts on lab testing
Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
Cyclical symptom flares ("good days and bad days")
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Especially when combined with Bartonella or Lyme:
Neurocardiac
Rheumatologic
Autoimmune
Dementia
Immune system overactivity (MCAS-mast cell activation syndrome)
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![Vector Borne illness is commonly missed and mismanaged. A girl sitting on a chair by a window with white curtains, looking outside.]()
Case Study: Bartonella, Babesia, Found in Brain Tissue of Child With Seizures
Babesia can show up in unexpected ways in the nervous system;
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![Vector Borne illness is commonly missed and mismanaged. A woman with light skin and brown hair sits on a bed, resting her head on her left hand, looking at the camera. She has a relaxed expression in a dimly lit room.]()
As my daughter got sicker and sicker, our quest for answers dragged on. How did we all miss the bacteria taking over her body?
Uncovering the Overlooked: How Babesia Bacteria Escalated Undetected in Her Daughter’s Illness
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![Vectors of all kinds, mosquitos, flies, fleas, ticks and more can carry bacterial illness. Close-up of a mosquito walking on a beige surface.]()
Clinical Overview of Babesiosis
Babesia infection ranges from mild to severe, causing flu-like symptoms and destruction of red blood cells. Diagnosis usually requires a careful blood test, especially in people with weak immune systems.
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![Stealth pathogens can evade the immune system. Close-up of a network of orange, thread-like structures on a blue background.]()
Case Study: Bartonella, Babesia Co-Infection in Family Associated with Neurological Illnesses
Family members had neuropsychiatric symptoms (OCD, insomnia, headaches, etc.), testing found co-infections including Babesia; shows how symptoms can be mistaken or spread across people exposed to same vectors.
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![Microscopic view of numerous orange circular cells dispersed on dark purple and black background.]()
Coinfection by Ixodes Tick-Borne Pathogens: Ecological, Epidemiological, and Clinical Consequences
Two older patients with underlying health problems experienced confusion, slurred speech, poor coordination, fever, muscle pain, and frequent urination without known exposure. Diagnosed with babesiosis, they received treatment and fully recovered, with neurological symptoms improving within days.
