The Tick-borne Diseases Trio
Tick-borne diseases are a growing health concern around the world. These diseases are caused by the tick bites which act as carriers for harmful infections. Among these infections, three major ones are Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia. If bitten by infected ticks, several of these infections can be transmitted to a human and if not treated quickly, these infections can lead to serious health problems.
Borrelia: The Germ Behind LYME Disease
What is Borrelia?
Borrelia is a type of bacteria, of which there are many types, that causes Lyme disease. Lyme disease is one of the most common illnesses spread by ticks in the UK, Europe and United States. The black-legged tick, sometimes called the “deer tick”, is the main carrier of the Borrelia bacteria. These ticks get the bacteria by biting small animals like mice or birds who are infected with Borrelia. When a tick with Borrelia bites a human, the bacteria enter the person’s body, causing Lyme disease.
Symptoms of Borrelia, Lyme Disease
Lyme disease has several different stages. The general symptoms of each stage of Lyme disease, Borrelia, can be found below:
- Early Localised Stage:
The first sign of Lyme disease may be a rash called erythema migrans, or EM. This rash looks like a bull’s-eye and appears where the tick bit the person. It may show up within 3 to 30 days after the bite. You might also feel like you have the flu, with a fever, chills, and muscle aches. It is important to note that the EM rash is not always present in all Borrelia infections.
- Early Disseminated Stage:
If Lyme disease is not treated early, the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body. More rashes may appear, and problems with one’s nervous system may occur, e.g. neuroborreliosis. Exampled of the problems that may arise include symptoms such as facial palsy, where one side of your face droops or heart problems, such as Lyme carditis.
- Late Disseminated Stage:
If Borrelia, Lyme disease, still has not been treated, it can cause long-term problems. These symptoms may include muscle and joint pain, headaches, tiredness, loss of energy and issues with the nervous system which can lead to serious issues like memory problems and feeling muddled, often referred to as “brain fog”. If there are new symptoms or a change of symptoms since having a tick bite, even several years after, Lyme disease may need to be considered as an infection.
How is Borrelia, Lyme Disease, Diagnosed and Treated?
Lyme disease can be complex to diagnose because its symptoms, like fatigue and fever, are similar to many other illnesses. Clinicians usually use blood tests to check for Lyme disease, however these test results may not always show a Lyme infection, especially in the early stages.
If caught early, Lyme disease is usually treated with antibiotics. However, some people may experience ongoing symptoms and require further or long-term treatment.
Bartonella: The Cause of Bartonellosis
What is Bartonella?
Bartonella is another type of bacteria, of which there are many types. It is known for causing different types of illnesses, including cat scratch disease and trench fever. While cat scratches or bites can spread Bartonella bacteria, ticks can also transmit it,
Symptoms of Bartonellosis
Bartonella infections can cause many different symptoms, depending on how the bacteria enter the body and the specific species involved and include:
- Tick-bite Bartonella: This type of Bartonella is carried by ticks and transmitted to humans when bitten by an infected tick. Symptoms may include fever, headache, weakness, joint pain, night sweats etc.
- Cat Scratch Disease (CSD): This happens when you are scratched or bitten by a cat that carries Bartonella. A small red bump forms at the scratch site, and the lymph nodes nearby may swell up. People might also feel tired, get a fever, or have a headache.
- Trench Fever: Caused by a different species of Bartonella, trench fever leads to repeated bouts of fever, severe headaches, and pain in the bones, especially in the legs.
- Endocarditis: Bartonella can sometimes cause a serious heart infection called endocarditis, which inflames the heart valves. This is more common in people with weak immune systems.
How is Bartonellosis Diagnosed and Treated?
Like Borrelia, Lyme disease, Bartonellosis can be hard to diagnose because it can cause so many different symptoms which are also similar to other illnesses. Clinicians, such as nurses and doctors, might do blood tests to look for Bartonella in a patient’s blood.
Treating Bartonella often involves more than one type of antibiotic. The treatment length can vary from short to long term treatment.
Babesia: The Germ Behind Babesiosis
What is Babesia?
Babesia is different from Borrelia and Bartonella because it is not a bacteria – Babesia is a tiny parasite that infects red blood cells. Babesia Microti is the most common species that infects humans via tick bites. Several types of ticks, including the same black-legged ticks that spread Lyme disease, can also carry Babesia.
Symptoms of Babesiosis
Babesia symptoms, as with other tick bite infections, vary from mild to severe, depending on a person’s health and immune system and may experience more severe symptoms.
Many people with Babesiosis have flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, tiredness, headaches and muscle aches. As Babesia attacks red blood cells, it can also cause anaemia, which may make those infected with Babesia, feel weak and short of breath.
In more serious cases, especially in people with other health issues or no spleen, Babesiosis can lead to major health problems, for example difficulty breathing (“air hunger”) and blood clotting issues.
How is Babesiosis Diagnosed and Treated?
There are several methods used to diagnose the presence of Babesia. These include blood testing to test for the presence of antibodies, using a microscope to look at a blood sample to see if Babesia parasites are present or other tests.
To treat Babesiosis, a combination of medicines may be needed.
How to Prevent Tick-Borne Diseases
The best way to avoid getting Borrelia, Bartonella and Babesia and other tick-borne diseases is to prevent tick bites. Here are some ways you can protect yourself:
- Avoid Tick Habitats:
Ticks live in grassy, wooded, or bushy areas, so try to avoid these places, especially in spring and summer when ticks are most active.
- Wear Protective Clothing:
When going into areas where ticks live, wear long sleeves, long trousers tucked into thick socks and a hat. Light-coloured clothing can help you spot ticks more easily.
- Use Tick Repellents:
Products with DEET or permethrin can help keep ticks away. Make sure to follow the instructions on the label for safe use.
- Check for Ticks:
After spending time outdoors, carefully check your body for ticks, especially in places like your scalp (including your hairline), behind your ears, under your arms and skin folds. If you find a tick, remove it carefully with special tick removal tools or alternatively with tweezers.
The danger of Tick-borne diseases
Ticks can carry dangerous tick-borne diseases, especially Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia. If you ever get bitten by a tick, it is important to contact a private specialist clinic, such as the TBD Clinic, or your GP surgery as soon as possible.
Stay safe and be tick aware!