CHARLOTTE — Tick season has just begun.
You may think you know what to expect, but healthcare providers are warning patients about a new type of illness called babesiosis.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the illness is caused by a parasite, and symptoms are felt differently between people. Doctors have been seeing a rise in cases with common symptoms like fever, chills, sweats, loss of appetite, nausea, and fatigue.
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Dr. Bobbi Pritt, from the Mayo Clinic’s Clinical Parasitology Laboratory, explained what part of the body is directly impacted and what can happen if babesiosis goes untreated.
“This parasite lives in your red blood cells and can cause quite a serious, even fatal infection,” said Pritt.
To protect yourself from Babesiosis and other tick-borne illnesses, remember to follow the ‘ABCs’: avoid tall grass, use bug spray, and cover up with protective clothing.
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