How Common Are Co-Infections, Really?

The Overlooked Epidemic Within Lyme Disease

When someone is diagnosed with Lyme disease, there’s a critical follow-up question that’s often never asked: What else did the tick give you?

Co-infections are extremely common among patients with Lyme—and yet, they’re rarely tested for or properly treated in conventional settings. This gap in care can delay recovery, complicate treatment, and worsen outcomes.

The Hidden Burden of Co-Infections

Ticks often carry multiple pathogens. The most common co-infections include:

• Babesia – A malaria-like parasite causing fevers, chills, and air hunger
  
  
• Bartonella – Linked to neurological symptoms, rage, and pain in the soles of the feet
  
  
• Ehrlichia and Anaplasma – Known for flu-like symptoms and white blood cell issues
  
  
• Mycoplasma – Can trigger autoimmune responses and joint pain
  
  
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever – Less common but dangerous if untreated
  
  

How Common Are They?

• A 2016 study found that up to 60% of ticks carry more than one pathogen.
  
  
• Babesia has been found in 20-40% of Lyme-positive patients in the northeastern U.S.
  
  
• Bartonella is estimated to co-infect 30-40% of people with chronic Lyme symptoms.
  
  

These numbers highlight a staggering truth: if you’ve been diagnosed with Lyme, there’s a high likelihood you have one or more co-infections.

Why Conventional Medicine Often Misses Them

• Lack of routine testing: Most standard Lyme panels don’t screen for co-infections.
  
  
• Non-specific symptoms: Fatigue, headaches, and muscle pain are brushed off.
  
  
• Insufficient treatment windows: Antibiotics for Lyme don’t always work for co-infections like Babesia, which may require anti-parasitic medications.
  
  

Real Patient Stories

At Princeton Integrative Health, we’ve had countless patients come in with a history of Lyme treatment—but who never fully recovered. It wasn’t until we tested and treated for co-infections that they finally began to heal.

One patient, a 42-year-old teacher, had been battling fatigue, mood swings, and shortness of breath for years. Her Lyme tests were positive—but it wasn’t until we identified Babesia and Bartonella that her true healing began.

What Functional Testing Can Reveal

Unlike traditional panels, we use advanced testing that can detect a broader range of pathogens—sometimes revealing infections that have gone undetected for years.

What You Can Do

If you’ve been diagnosed with Lyme or suspect you might have it, it’s essential to also evaluate for co-infections. Our team can help you understand what’s beneath the surface—so your treatment can be as effective and complete as possible.

Start your Health Journey with Princeton Integrative Health today!