Common Co-infections of Lyme Disease

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Source: https://www.lymedisease.org/tick-borne-coinfections/
Below you will find a list of the most common co-infections that can accompany Lyme disease along with the most common antibiotics used to treat each infection. 

Babesiosis

Babesia is a malaria-like parasite transferred by ticks and mites. Babesiosis can destroy red blood cells and cause hemolytic anemia. The resulting fatigue, nausea and brain fog can make you feel like you're living with a constant flu. Victims of babesiosis are said to give off certain odors that attract bugs. Some victims refer to the odors as rotting smells or death smells.
  • The currently recommended therapy for babesiosis is a 7-10-day course of clindamycin (600 mg every 6 h) and quinine (650 mg every 8 h). (Source)
  • Recently, azithromycin (500-600 mg on day 1, and 250-600 mg on subsequent days) and atovaquone (750 mg every 12 h) was found to be equally effective in treating adults experiencing babesiosis. This combination also was associated with fewer adverse reactions than clindamycin and quinine. (Source)
  • Exchange transfusion is a potentially life-saving therapy for patients suffering from severe disease with high parasitemia (>5%), significant hemolysis, or renal or pulmonary compromise. (Source)​ ​

Bartonella 

​Also known as Cat Scratch Fever, Bartonella is a bacterial infection that can cause fever, headaches, fatigue, poor appetitie, brain fog, muscle pain and swollen glads around the head, neck and arms. Symptoms normally 5 to 15 days after infection. ​
  • "The first-line antibiotics for treatment of Bartonella infections include doxycycline, erythromycin, azithromycin, tetracyclines, gentamicin, rifampin, ciprofloxacin, and sulfa drugs, but most investigators have observed no benefit of antibiotic therapy for the treatment of typical, uncomplicated cat scratch disease." (Source) 
  • ​Ying Zhang, MD and colleagues at Johns Hopkins show that rifampin and azithromycin are the strongest agents to treat Bartonella. (Source)​

Ehrlichia 

Ehrlichia is a genus of Rickettsiales bacteria that are transmitted to vertebrates by ticks. These bacteria cause the disease ehrlichiosis, which is considered zoonotic, because the main reservoirs for the disease are animals. ​

Mycoplasma 

​Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria that, like the other members of the class Mollicutes, lack a cell wall around their cell membranes. Peptidoglycan is absent. This characteristic makes them naturally resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis. They can be parasitic or saprotrophic.

RMSF

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. Most people who get sick with RMSF will have a fever, headache, and rash. RMSF can be deadly if not treated early with the right antibiotic.

Anaplasma 

​Anaplasma is a genus of bacteria of the alphaproteobacterial order Rickettsiales, family Anaplasmataceae. Anaplasma species reside in host blood cells and lead to the disease anaplasmosis.

Tularemia

​Tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever,” is a disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Tularemia is typically found in animals, especially rodents, rabbits, and hares. Tularemia is usually a rural disease and has been reported in all U.S. states except Hawaii.

Important! Antibiotics Should Be Balanced with Probiotics. 
Antibiotics kill off healthy bacteria along with bad bacteria. To maintain digestive health, it's important to put that good, disease fighting bacteria back into your system. The single largest part of the human immune system is the microbiome along our gastrointestinal tract which is home to around 100 trillion microorganisms. Those trillions of good bacteria, known as ‘probiotics’,  make up over 70% of our immune system!

Complete List of Articles on This Site:

​Home Treatment Checklist - 20 Things You Must Do if You Have Mites
What's Biting Me? Top Ten Mites that Can Irritate Humans - How to Identify Your Mite - Get a Formal Diagnosis
10 Ways to Get Mites Out of Skin - DIY Skin Recipes and Bathtime Rituals
Common Co-Infections Linked to Parasite Infestation and What to Do About Them 
​How to Talk to Your Doctor About Mites
​How to Collect Mite Samples for Identification
​Ten Ways to Deal with the Psychological Stress of a Mite Infestation
How to Get Mites Out of Ears, Eyes, Noses and Genitals 
Prescriptions for Treating Mites in the Urinary Tract
Top 12 Oral Supplements Commonly Used to Battle Parasites
​20 Ways to Trap Mites -Glue Boards Aren't Enough
How to Get Mites Out of Cars
How to Get Mites Out of Couch Crevices
How to Get Mites Out of Carpeting
How to Get Springtails and Mold Mites Out of Dishwashers
​Ten Rules to Avoid Transferring Mites when You Move to a New Home
The Importance of Choosing Clothing and Bedding Made of Synthetic Materials
​The Advantages of Treating with UV Light
How to Treat and Store Mite Infested Documents​
​How to Treat Infested Cell Phones and Computers
10 Organic Ways to Kill Lawn and Garden Pests