The following signs/symptoms may be present in those infected with Babesiosis: Fatigue* Arthralgias* Myalgia* Drenching sweats* Headaches* Emotional lability* Depression* Dark urine* Splenomegaly* Dizziness* Nausea and vomiting* Cough* Dyspnea* Fever* Chills* Hepatosplenomegaly* Jaundice* Malaise* Shortness of breath* Bleeding tendencies, bruising* Thrombocytopenia* Hemoglobinuria* Hyperesthesia* Pulmonary edema* Encephalopathy* Low to normal range leukocyte counts* Possible elevated levels of dehydrogenase, bilirubin, transaminase* Anorexia*
Approximately 25%- 66% of Babesia patients are known to be co-infected with Lyme disease. These symptoms may continue for long periods of time, decrease, then return. A low Babesiosis titer (IgG) often indicates a chronic infection.
An acute or current infection may show a higher reading on the IgM test initially. There are over 100 species of Babesia in the United States but only ONE or TWO species are currently checked by commercial labs.
Do you know how to do a search? Click on the little word "search" in the upper portion of this page. Type in "babesia".
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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NP40
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6711
posted
As you see the bab symptoms closely mirror lyme symptoms. It can be hard to differentiate the two. However, the most common babs symptoms seem to be chest pain, shortness of breath, and alternating sweats/chills. Testing can be unreliable for babs so if you exhibit these symptoms you may want to talk to your LLMD about treatment.
Zithromax is the primary abx used to fight babs in conjunction with malarone, artemisinin, plaquenil, quinine, etc. There are a host of meds that can be used in conjunction with the zith.
Posts: 1632 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Jan 2005
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suki444
Unregistered
posted
See Dr B's new 2005 guidelines...treatment is Atovaquone and a macrolide (Ketek or Biaxin or Azithromycin) and Artemesia a herb.
These are usually taken until Babs symptoms resolve, 5 months or more. Bactrim or Flagyl can be added.
It seems like most of the symptoms communicated there, I do not have.
I have severe leg pain and tightness. Yes, I am depressed, but I am not sure whether it is from Babesia or my type A personality.
Other than the positive FISH test, I am not sure whether I have babesia.
Confused and anxious.
Posts: 122 | From Connecticut Shoreline | Registered: Apr 2005
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janet thomas
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7122
posted
suki- can you post a link to the 2005 Dr B guidelines. I didn't know they were available.
-------------------- I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice but only my personal experience and opinion. Posts: 2001 | From NJ | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
Janet, look for "Dr B's 2005-ed "Diag Hints..."
I brought it back to the top of Medical for you & anyone else who missed it.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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liz28
Unregistered
posted
For me, babesia ran in monthly cycles. Most of the month, it caused extreme fatigue, vertigo, dizzyness, headaches, balance problems, and night sweats. During the worst part of the cycle, I felt like I was standing under a waterfall, with rivulets of sweat running down my body.
It can be very, very hard to get rid of, so be prepared to dig in. Don't go on and off the drugs or take lower doses if you can get higher ones, and don't be surprised if you take several months to get well, or if you go off the drugs and relapse. It helps to think of babesia in the same category as other life threatening diseases, as something you expect to be a huge hassle, with the benefit of restoring your life and energy to you.
Although a lot of people have written excellent posts on babesia, you might want to do an archive search on someone named Minoucat.
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