What Is Babesiosis?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
8. Hemolytic Anemia
When our red blood cells come to the end of their lives, they are processed by our liver. This is a perfectly normal process and it helps to ensure that blood continually consists of healthy, fully functioning cells. In cases of babesiosis, the patient’s blood cells can begin breaking down faster than usual, resulting in a condition known as hemolytic anemia.
As the parasite infects more and more red blood cells, so more of the cells will be destroyed as a result. This will mean that there will be fewer blood cells, and the blood becomes less effective at carrying oxygen, resulting in other unwelcome symptoms.
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