About Babesiosis
On this page:
Transmission
Prevention
Signs and symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
More from other web sites
Transmission
- Babesiosis is one of several tick-borne
diseases in Minnesota.
Prevention
- Preventing
Tick-Transmitted Diseases
Learn how to minimize your risk to human anaplasmosis and other tick-borne diseases.
Signs and symptoms
Babesiosis is a protozoan infection. Signs and symptoms may include:
- High fever
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Anemia
- Signs and symptoms may go away without treatment, but some cases may
be severe.
- People who are elderly or immune-compromised (including people without a spleen) are most likely to have a severe infection.
Diagnosis
- If babesiosis is suspected, see your doctor immediately.
- Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the time a person is ill
and the severity of the disease.
- Some people may be infected with two or more tick-borne infections
at the same time, which can make diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Treatment
- Babesiosis is treated with antimicrobial drugs.
More from other web sites:
- CDC Babesiosis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information about Babesiosis. Attention: Non-MDH link
Spotlight
Blacklegged tick (deer tick) life stages next to a metric ruler. The adult ticks (two ticks at the left) are approximately 1/8 of an inch long, while the nymph (third from left) is just under 1/16 of an inch.
June 29, 2011: Tick-borne Disease Health Alert
Minnesota Records First Death from Tick-Borne Powassan Virus
May 6, 2011: Tick-borne Disease Health Alert
Anaplasmosis Rivals Lyme Disease As Record Numbers of Minnesotans Sick from Tick-Borne Diseases in 2010.
Special Review Panel Unaimously Upholds Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines: Short-term Antibiotics Proven to be Best Treatment for Patients
4/2010 Update: Special review panel unanimously upholds Lyme disease treatment guidelines. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
High Risk Areas in Minnesota
A map that shows counties of highest Tick-borne risk in Minnesota.
Ticks
Learn about blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) including their life cycle, feeding habits, habitat, and population control. Also includes information on American dog ticks, the vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Minnesota.
Preventing Tick-Transmitted Disease
Information about minimizing your risk of tick-transmitted diseases, protecting your pets, and removing ticks.
Tickborne Prevention Poster: Spray Before You Work or Play
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
