Lyme disease is often described as a medical puzzle. Many patients expect recovery after treatment, but for some, lingering symptoms like fatigue, sweats, palpitations, or breathing difficulties, continue to disrupt daily life. Increasingly, researchers and practitioners are recognizing that a hidden co-infection may be responsible: Babesia.Though transmitted by the same ticks that spread Lyme disease, Babesia is a parasite rather than a bacterium. This means that while standard antibiotics for Lyme may clear Borrelia burgdorferi (the Lyme-causing bacteria), they do not affect Babesia. If left untreated, the infection can stall or even derail recovery.What Is Babesia?Alexis Chesney, MS, ND, LAc, who is also a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, author, and educator specializing in Lyme and vector-borne disease, writes that Babesia is a malaria-like parasite that invades red blood cells, belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa.Also Read: Ebola Outbreak Update: Vaccines Continue To Arrive As Congo Yet Again Becomes Disease Hotspot First described in the late 19th century, it has since been identified in multiple species, with Babesia microti and Babesia duncani being most common in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported a rise in cases across the Northeast and upper Midwest, even declaring Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine as endemic states.The parasite is transmitted by the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) in the East and Midwest, and Ixodes pacificus in the West. Transmission can occur within 36 hours of tick attachment, making timely removal critical.How Babesia Blocks Lyme RecoveryLyme disease is caused by bacteria, while Babesia is a protozoan parasite. The difference is crucial: antibiotics like doxycycline or ceftriaxone, typically prescribed for Lyme, have no effect on Babesia. When this parasitic infection is overlooked, patients often remain sick despite completing Lyme treatment.This overlap of infections is common in regions where both pathogens circulate. Patients coinfected with Babesia and Lyme may experience a tougher, more prolonged illness, with night sweats, air hunger (difficulty breathing at rest), and palpitations serving as hallmark clues that Lyme alone isn’t to blame.Also Read: This 24-Year-Old Was Suffering With Frequent Migraines: Neurologist Shares This Simple Trick That HelpedSymptoms to WatchBabesia symptoms can vary widely, from mild to life-threatening. Common complaints include:Excessive sweating or night sweatsCrushing fatigueShortness of breath or “air hunger”Heart palpitations or chest painHeadaches and joint achesIn severe cases, particularly in older adults, immunocompromised individuals, or those without a spleen, Babesia may cause hemolytic anemia, kidney problems, and organ stress.DiagnosisBecause symptoms overlap with Lyme disease, Babesia often goes undiagnosed without specific testing. Traditional options include:Blood smear (Giemsa-stained): A classic but limited method, as only a tiny fraction of red blood cells may show parasites in early or chronic cases.PCR testing: Detects Babesia DNA with high sensitivity in acute infections.FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization): A more advanced method that detects Babesia RNA, distinguishing between live and dead parasites and proving especially valuable in chronic disease.Accurate testing is critical, as untreated Babesia can persist and block progress against Lyme.Treatment ApproachesConventional treatment generally involves a combination of atovaquone and azithromycin for 7–10 days in mild to moderate cases. More severe or persistent infections may require longer regimens, sometimes with alternative drugs like clindamycin and quinine. However, treatment failures and drug resistance have been reported.Naturopathic and integrative therapies are increasingly used alongside pharmaceuticals. Herbs such as Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Artemisia annua (Sweet Annie), Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese Knotweed), and Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap) have shown anti-Babesia activity in laboratory studies. These botanicals not only target parasites but also support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and protect red blood cells.Some practitioners also use anti-biofilm agents like serrapeptase or lumbrokinase to break down protective barriers that Babesia forms, making antimicrobial treatment more effective.Why Awareness MattersAs Babesia spreads to new geographic regions, it is critical for healthcare providers to recognize its role in chronic illness. Ignoring Babesia may leave patients trapped in a cycle of incomplete Lyme recovery, chasing symptoms without lasting relief. A thorough approach that screens for co-infections and treats them comprehensively is essential.For patients struggling with ongoing fatigue, sweats, or unexplained heart and lung symptoms after Lyme treatment, the missing piece could be Babesia. Recognizing and addressing this stealth parasite may be the key to finally breaking through to recovery.
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