lyme and babesia differences?

recently it has been suggested to me that i may have babesia as well as lyme by some members of a local support group based on my symptoms. however, everything i read says babesia usually starts with high fever and chills, and symptoms often include night sweats. i have had lowgrade fevers and burning sensations but nothing like drenching sweats or high fevers. ive also had extreme fatigue and a little shortness of breath. how easy is it to distinguish between the two? and does treatment for babesia also kill lyme bacteria? i see a new llmd feb 15 (my last had his license suspended), but am curious in the meantime

My LLMD recently tested me for babesia, as apparently it was showing up in a lot of her other patients recently (my test was negative). While waiting for my results I kept thinking, "but I don't have the symptoms of babesia!" My understanding was that it was distinguished by high fevers, night sweats, and air hunger. I also remember hearing something about decreased WBC count, but I could be wrong - all of these coinfections get so confusing and overlap so much.

I think there are pretty detailed descriptions in the "New to Lyme" thread that might help to differentiate between Lyme and Babesia. Honestly I think it's really tough to sort out what causes what symptoms - these aren't simple infections that act in predictable ways - plus everything is so interconnected - someone with babesia alone will probably exhibit symptoms a bit differently than someone with both babesia and lyme, etc.

Has your doctor tested you for babesia? That would probably be the best place to start if you're worrying about it. I'd discuss the possibility with your doctor. Also, from what I recall, babesia (and/or bartonella) are usually suspected when Lyme treatment isn't progressing as well is it maybe should (which is why my doctor has been exhaustively looking into what else could be going on with me - though I think it's all the viruses & toxin overload for me) ...does this sound like a red flag for you? Obviously I'm not saying "if your treatment is going well you couldn't possibly have babesia," but it's always a tough call when we can't know 100% for sure what we have and what we don't.

borderlyme said...
My LLMD recently tested me for babesia, as apparently it was showing up in a lot of her other patients recently (my test was negative). While waiting for my results I kept thinking, "but I don't have the symptoms of babesia!" My understanding was that it was distinguished by high fevers, night sweats, and air hunger. I also remember hearing something about decreased WBC count, but I could be wrong - all of these coinfections get so confusing and overlap so much.

I think there are pretty detailed descriptions in the "New to Lyme" thread that might help to differentiate between Lyme and Babesia. Honestly I think it's really tough to sort out what causes what symptoms - these aren't simple infections that act in predictable ways - plus everything is so interconnected - someone with babesia alone will probably exhibit symptoms a bit differently than someone with both babesia and lyme, etc.

Has your doctor tested you for babesia? That would probably be the best place to start if you're worrying about it. I'd discuss the possibility with your doctor. Also, from what I recall, babesia (and/or bartonella) are usually suspected when Lyme treatment isn't progressing as well is it maybe should (which is why my doctor has been exhaustively looking into what else could be going on with me - though I think it's all the viruses & toxin overload for me) ...does this sound like a red flag for you? Obviously I'm not saying "if your treatment is going well you couldn't possibly have babesia," but it's always a tough call when we can't know 100% for sure what we have and what we don't.

Seeing a doctor for fisrt time next week - should I insist that I get blood tests for all these co-infections ?

any LLMD worth their weight in salt will treat you for all 3 B's (babesia, bartonella and borrelia). today's ticks are very dirty so they usually carry all 3 B's plus a bunch more parasites.