20. What signs and symptoms would lead a doctor to suspect a Babesia infection in a patient? How many strains of Babesiosis have been identified and how many are commonly tested for in commercial labs?
The following signs/symptoms may be present in those infected with Babesiosis:
Fatigue* Arthralgias* (aching joints) Myalgia* (muscle pain) Drenching sweats* Headaches* Emotional lability* Depression* Dark urine* Splenomegaly* (enlarged spleen) Dizziness* Nausea and vomiting* Cough* Dyspnea* (difficulty breathing) Fever* Chills* Hepatosplenomegaly* (enlarged liver) Jaundice* Malaise* Shortness of breath* Bleeding tendencies, bruising* Thrombocytopenia* (low platelets in the blood) Hemoglobinuria* (red cell breakdown, with release of hemoglobin in the urine) Hyperesthesia* (over sensitivity to touch) Pulmonary edema* (fluid accumulation, swelling in the lungs) Encephalopathy* (alters brain function) 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.
posted
It's just like Lyme. You won't necessarily have every symptom!!!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
I didn't have the anorexia part either - just the opposite: before being diagnosed, when I felt bad I would eat - hoping that it would help.
Needless to say, it didn't.
Also, most of my really bad babs symptoms were hidden in the soup of lyme and co's symptoms, so it was hard to pinpoint them.
Once I started babs treatment, though - wham! There were clear babs symptoms.
A trial run is a good idea.
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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Beverly
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 1271
posted
Hi yourtroubl,
The symptom list above really helps, (great post Lisi) but sometimes you don't realize what symptoms you actually have that are from Babesia until you start the meds for it.
When I took the meds and this symptom went away or that one went away then I knew what my symptoms were. And then I could also tell that my Mom and son had it also.
I don't have all of the symptoms on the list but I had some of them. I also have symptoms that are not on the list, like anxiety.
I am so glad I went to New York and got treated for Babesia, because if I had not gone my Mother, son as well as myself would still be sick today.
I believe a trail run is a good idea too, just in case.
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