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Babesiosis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite. This parasite infects and destroys the body's red blood cells. The disease is spread to humans by the bite of an infected tick. Many people who are infected never feel sick, but it can be a serious illness for some.
read more about babesiosis ...The infection is caused by a parasite from the *Babesia* family. It is most often spread by the bite of a black-legged tick, also known as a deer tick. This is the same tick that is famous for spreading Lyme disease. People get sick when an infected tick bites them and passes the parasite into their blood.
Many people have no symptoms at all. If symptoms do start, it is usually one to four weeks after the tick bite. The symptoms are often like the flu and include a fever, chills, sweats, a headache, and muscle aches. Because the parasite destroys red blood cells, the infection can also cause anemia, which makes you feel very weak and tired.
A doctor will ask about your symptoms and if you have been in any grassy or wooded areas where you could get a tick bite. To diagnose the infection, a doctor must do a blood test. They will look at your blood under a microscope to find the *Babesia* parasites inside your red blood cells.
Treatment is not always needed for people who are healthy and have no symptoms. For people who are sick, doctors will prescribe a combination of medicines. This usually includes an antiparasitic drug and an antibiotic. This treatment works to kill the parasite in your blood.
This infection can be very dangerous for certain groups of people. You are at a higher risk for a severe illness if you do not have a spleen, if you have a weak immune system (like from cancer or HIV), or if you are an older adult. For these people, the infection can be life-threatening.
No. You cannot get babesiosis from another person, like a cold. It is only spread by a tick bite or, in very rare cases, through a blood transfusion.
No, they are different diseases. Babesiosis is from a parasite and Lyme is from a bacteria. However, because the same tick carries both, it is very common for a person to get both infections from a single tick bite.
You can prevent it by preventing tick bites. When you are in wooded or grassy areas, use an insect repellent. Wear long pants and shirts. After you come inside, check your whole body for ticks.
You should see a doctor if you develop a fever, chills, or severe fatigue after being in an area where ticks are common. It is very important to tell your doctor if you found a tick on your body, even if it was weeks ago. This will help them know to test you for babesiosis and other tick-borne illnesses.
1. About Babesiosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/babesiosis/about/index.html. February 12, 2024.
2. Clinical Overview of Babesiosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/babesiosis/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html. February 13, 2024.
3. Clinical Care of Babesiosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/babesiosis/hcp/clinical-care/index.html. February 13, 2024.
4. Babesiosis 2025 Case Definition. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/babesiosis/. Accessed April 1, 2026.
5. Babesiosis. AJ Zimmer and M Mylonakis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430715/. July 24, 2023.