Okay, Babesiosis. What the heck ARE you, and how did my mother-in-law get it when she lives in Port Jefferson?

Well, it's another disease carried by our good friend, the deer tick. It has been found on Fire Island, but seems to have jumped to the mainland here. The lady in question was feeling pretty punk; no energy at all (and this is a sprightly woman who spends a lot of  time outdoors gardening), excessive joint pain, and eventually a lack of appetite and believe it or not, lack of thirst. This got her going to her doctor, who either had a hunch or has seen it before, ran the test for it, and started treatment immediately. Thank you, Dr. Gives-a-Damn. I believe this one slips through the cracks more often than not, seeing how "rare" it is... it sure shocked us.

Babesiosis has the potential to be truly nasty, folks. Keep an eye out for this parasitic "bug".

Flash-med.com notes: common symptoms of babesiosis include fatigue, muscle aches, joint aches, weight loss, and nausea. These symptoms are very nonspecific therefore a physician or patient must have a high degree of suspicion. It may also present with fever.

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babesiosis

The following excerpt is taken taken from the NY Dept of Health: http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/babesiosis/fact_sheet.htm

Health What is babesiosis?
Babesiosis is a rare, severe and sometimes fatal tick-borne disease caused by various types of Babesia, a microscopic parasite that infects red blood cells. In New York state, the causative parasite is Babesia microti.

Who gets babesiosis?
Babesiosis is seen most frequently in the elderly or in immunocompromised individuals. Cases of this disease have been primarily reported during spring, summer and fall in coastal areas in the northeastern United States, especially Nantucket Island off the coast of Massachusetts and on Long Island in New York. Cases have also been reported in Wisconsin, California, Georgia, Missouri and some European countries. Babesiosis can be more severe in people who have had their spleen removed.

How is babesiosis transmitted?
Babesiosis is transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick, Ixodes scapularis. Transmission can also occur via transfusion of contaminated blood.

What are the symptoms of babesiosis?
The disease can cause fever, fatigue and hemolytic anemia lasting from several days to several months. Infections can occur without producing symptoms.

When do symptoms appear?
It may take from one to eight weeks, sometimes longer, for symptoms to appear.

Does past infection with babesiosis make a person immune?
It is not known whether past infection with babesiosis can make a person immune.

What is the treatment for babesiosis?
Standardized treatments for babesiosis have not been developed. However, some drugs used in the treatment of malaria have been found to be effective in some patients with babesiosis.