As temperatures warm up, more time will be spent doing outdoor activities in areas with grass or shrubs, where ticks are commonly found. Increased exposure to these environments heightens our risk of contracting illnesses that are transmitted by ticks such as babesiosis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), babesiosis is an emerging tickborne parasitic disease that has become significantly more prevalent in the Northeast regions of the United States such as New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The CDC classified the disease as endemic in these and other states where cases have grown the fastest.
Babesiosis is caused by the Babesia parasite, which infects red blood cells and is carried by blacklegged or deer ticks. The disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of these ticks. Cases of infection peak during the warmer months of spring and summer.
In addition to being transmissible by the bite of a blacklegged or deer tick, babesiosis can also be spread by the transfusion of contaminated blood.
Many people who are infected with babesiosis do not experience symptoms; however, some may present with flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, or chills. Symptoms may take one to nine weeks to appear. Complications can include blood clots, severe hemolytic anemia (hemolysis) low or unstable blood pressure, organ failure, and in rare cases death.
The disease can be severe or life-threatening to:
- Individuals living without a spleen
- Those with weakened immune systems
- The elderly
- Those who have serious health conditions such as liver or kidney disease
Steps can be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to ticks and prevent the transmission of babesiosis. The CDC recommends doing the following while you are outdoors:
- Walking on cleared trails and staying in the center of the trail, to minimize contact with bushes or other places where ticks typically live
- Minimizing the amount of exposed skin, by wearing socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt
- Applying repellents to skin and clothing
It is also recommended that you conduct tick checks before going indoors and promptly remove any ticks that are found.
If you are experiencing symptoms of babesiosis and believe you were exposed to ticks, make an appointment to see your doctor right away, Your physician can order blood tests to diagnose the disease and provide effective treatment.
To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.