Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms

Digestive signs and symptoms are common in Whipple disease and may include:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramping and pain, which may worsen after meals
• Weight loss, associated with the malabsorption of nutrients

Other frequent signs and symptoms associated with Whipple disease include:

• Inflamed joints, particularly the ankles, knees and wrists
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Anemia

Less common signs and symptoms

In some cases, signs and symptoms of Whipple disease may include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Skin darkening in areas exposed to the sun and in scars
• Chest pain

Brain and nervous system (neurological) signs and symptoms may include:

• Difficulty walking
• Vision problems, including lack of control of eye movements
• Confusion
• Memory loss

Symptoms tend to develop slowly over many years in most people with this disease. In some people, symptoms such as joint pain and weight loss develop years before the digestive symptoms that lead to diagnosis.

When to see a doctor

Whipple disease is potentially life-threatening yet usually treatable. Contact your doctor if you experience unusual signs or symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss or joint pain. Your doctor can perform tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Even after the infection is diagnosed and you're receiving treatment, let your doctor know if your symptoms don't improve. Sometimes antibiotic therapy isn't effective because the bacteria are resistant to the particular drug you're taking. The disease can recur, so it's important to watch for symptoms that reappear.