It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Babesiosis , when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Malaria.
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite transmitted to the human through the bite of an infected mosquito. About 40% of the world’s population is at risk for malarial infection and is responsible for 2000 deaths every day; the majority of which are children. Symptoms include fever, chill, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle pain and fatigue. Diagnosis needs to be confirmed with blood sample microscopy visualisation of the Giemsa-stained parasite. Malaria’s symptoms often mimic other diseases such as the influenza and this test needs to be run to confirm disease. Delay in diagnosis and treatment from misdiagnosis can lead to coma, and sudden death.