Babesiosis
Babesiosis is an infectious disease caused by a parasite that is carried by ixodid ticks, such as wood ticks and deer ticks. This disease can range from mild to severe. The highest number of reported cases occur in the Northeastern United States.
CAUSES
This condition is caused by the Babesia parasite. A person can get the parasite if they are bitten by an infected tick. The tick must usually stay attached to the skin for more than 24 hours to transmit the parasite. A person can also get the parasite by having a blood transfusion with infected blood.
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in people who walk through areas where these ticks live in the late spring and in summer. The condition is more likely to be …show more content…
DIAGNOSIS
This condition is diagnosed with a medical history, physical exam, and blood tests.
TREATMENT
This condition is treated with antibiotic medicines. Pain and other symptoms may be treated with other kinds of medicine. If there are few or no symptoms, treatment may not be needed.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, finish all of it even if you start to feel better.
Report any new problems to your health care provider. People with this condition may have gotten another disease from the tick bite.
PREVENTION
Take these steps to help prevent tick bites when you are outdoors:
Wear protective clothing. Long sleeves and long pants are best.
Wear white clothes so you can see ticks more easily.
Tuck your pant legs into your socks.
If walking on a trail, stay in the middle of the trail to avoid brushing against bushes.
Avoid walking through areas with long grass.
Put insect repellent on all exposed skin and along boot tops, pant legs, and sleeve cuffs.
Check clothing, hair, and skin repeatedly and before going inside.
Brush off any ticks that are not
Babesiosis is an infectious disease caused by a parasite that is carried by ixodid ticks, such as wood ticks and deer ticks. This disease can range from mild to severe. The highest number of reported cases occur in the Northeastern United States.
CAUSES
This condition is caused by the Babesia parasite. A person can get the parasite if they are bitten by an infected tick. The tick must usually stay attached to the skin for more than 24 hours to transmit the parasite. A person can also get the parasite by having a blood transfusion with infected blood.
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in people who walk through areas where these ticks live in the late spring and in summer. The condition is more likely to be …show more content…
DIAGNOSIS
This condition is diagnosed with a medical history, physical exam, and blood tests.
TREATMENT
This condition is treated with antibiotic medicines. Pain and other symptoms may be treated with other kinds of medicine. If there are few or no symptoms, treatment may not be needed.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, finish all of it even if you start to feel better.
Report any new problems to your health care provider. People with this condition may have gotten another disease from the tick bite.
PREVENTION
Take these steps to help prevent tick bites when you are outdoors:
Wear protective clothing. Long sleeves and long pants are best.
Wear white clothes so you can see ticks more easily.
Tuck your pant legs into your socks.
If walking on a trail, stay in the middle of the trail to avoid brushing against bushes.
Avoid walking through areas with long grass.
Put insect repellent on all exposed skin and along boot tops, pant legs, and sleeve cuffs.
Check clothing, hair, and skin repeatedly and before going inside.
Brush off any ticks that are not