From the Guidelines
Babesia infection typically presents with flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, sweats, myalgia, arthralgia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, or fatigue, as reported in the clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1. The symptoms of babesiosis can range in severity from asymptomatic to rapidly fatal, with most patients experiencing a viral infection–like illness. Common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Sweats
- Myalgia
- Arthralgia
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue On physical examination, patients may exhibit:
- Fever
- Splenomegaly
- Hepatomegaly
- Jaundice Laboratory findings may include:
- Hemolytic anemia with an elevated reticulocyte count
- Thrombocytopenia
- Proteinuria
- Elevated levels of liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine, as noted in the study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases 1. It is essential to note that the infection can range from asymptomatic to life-threatening, with some patients experiencing cyclical symptoms that wax and wane every few days. Prompt treatment is crucial, as babesiosis can become severe or even fatal if left untreated, especially in high-risk individuals.
From the Research
Symptoms of Babesia
The provided studies do not directly mention the symptoms of Babesia. However, they discuss the treatment and management of the disease, which can be related to its symptoms.
- Severe disease may occur in immunocompromised individuals, resulting in prolonged relapsing disease or death 2.
- The disease can cause significant health burden, especially on those who are immunocompromised and those who acquire the infection through blood transfusion, with death occurring in up to 20 percent of these groups 3.
- An infant with Babesia microti infection presented with severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, and an increase in hepatic enzymes, in addition to being ill-appearing, febrile, and cyanotic 4.
Treatment and Management
Treatment for Babesia typically consists of:
- Atovaquone and azithromycin or clindamycin and quinine 2, 5, 3.
- Exchange transfusion in severe cases 3.
- Prolonged treatment may be required for severe disease 2.