Babesiosis physical examination

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Overview

A wide range of physical findings may be associated with patients suffering from babesiosis. Asymptomatic patients will generally appear healthy without any external signs of infection. However physical examination findings are variable depending on the severity of the infection as well as the patient’s medical history. For patients exhibiting symptoms apparent during physical examination, the most common physical findings may range from a moderate fever and minor display of flu-like symptoms to Hepatomegaly, Petechiae,Ecchymoses and Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Physical Examination

Asymptomatic:

• Patients are generally well appearing

• May appear weak or fatigued in advanced cases

Minor to moderate display of symptoms:

• Patient will display an average to moderately concerning fever

• Patient will appear fatigued and lethargic. In some cases this symptom may present itself as emotionally unstable states/ depression.

• Headache

• Neck stiffness

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Weight loss

• Rash

(Symptoms gradually progress and have presented themselves to be non-specific.)

Physical examination of an individual with severe progression of babesiosis may result in the additional findings:

• Hepatomegaly

• Petechiae

• Ecchymoses

• Rash (similar to erythema chronicum migrans)

• Pharyngeal erythema

• Shock

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

(Immunocompromised patients or patients who have previously undergone splenectomy, experience difficulty clearing parasitic infections and thus result in higher counts of parasitemia. Within these populations Babesiosis is at a higher risk of producing fatal results.)