Prompt removal within 24–36 hours reduces transmission risk
Patient Discharge Instructions
copy discharge instructions
Babesiosis home care instructions
Take all medications as prescribed
Atovaquone (Mepron) must be taken with a fatty meal — eat cheese, peanut butter, or full-fat yogurt with each dose
Azithromycin with or without food
Complete the full course even if feeling better
Rest and fluids
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
Avoid strenuous activity until cleared by your doctor
Fatigue may last weeks to months — this is normal
Tick prevention
Use insect repellent with DEET when outdoors
Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded or grassy areas
Check your entire body for ticks after being outdoors
Remove attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers
Warning signs to return to ER
Return immediately if you develop:
Worsening fever or new chills after starting antibiotics
Dark or tea-colored urine (sign of red blood cell destruction)
Yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice)
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Severe abdominal pain (may indicate splenic problem)
Confusion, severe headache, or unusual drowsiness
Bleeding that does not stop easily
Signs of allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling, difficulty swallowing
Follow-up instructions
See your doctor within 48–72 hours of discharge
Repeat blood test to confirm parasite levels are dropping
Immunocompromised patients need more frequent monitoring
Tell your doctor about all your current medications
Some medications interact with babesiosis treatment
If you received a blood transfusion recently
Inform all future healthcare providers
Babesiosis can be transmitted through blood
References
Guidelines and key sources
Primary guidelines
IDSA 2020 Clinical Practice Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Babesiosis
Krause PJ et al., Clinical Infectious Diseases 2021
doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1216
CDC Tickborne Diseases of the United States Reference Manual, 6th Edition (2022)
Shadick NA, Maher N, Hoak D
Covers tick prevention, recognition, and management
IDSA/ASM Guide to Utilization of the Microbiology Laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases 2024 Update
Miller JM et al., Clinical Infectious Diseases 2024
doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae104
Landmark studies
Key evidence
STOP-BABESIOSIS Trial, JAMA Internal Medicine 2026
Leaf DE, Monson AE et al.
Exchange transfusion for severe babesiosis — multicenter data
aOR 0.22 for in-hospital death or 30-day readmission with exchange transfusion
Babesiosis-Related Sepsis: Am J Trop Med Hyg 2026
Long J, Henao-Martinez AF et al.
Multicenter retrospective global research network analysis
Trends in Reported Babesiosis Cases 2011–2019, MMWR 2023
Swanson M, Pickrel A, Williamson J, Montgomery S
Increasing incidence in Northeast and Midwest
Vannier E, Krause PJ — Human Babesiosis, NEJM 2012
Comprehensive pathophysiology and clinical review
Sanchez E et al., JAMA 2016 — Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis review
Coding standards
Diagnostic codes
ICD-10 B60.0 — Babesiosis
Tick-borne hemolytic parasitic infection
Use for confirmed babesiosis in any clinical setting
ICD-10 A41.9 — Sepsis unspecified for babesiosis-related sepsis
Document underlying babesiosis as additional code
SNOMED CT — Babesiosis disorder concept
Aligns with international clinical terminology standards
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.