If red blood cells are attacked, symptoms may include weakness and fatigue, paleness or jaundice, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and/or a fast heartbeat.

In the less common instance that white blood cells are attacked, symptoms may include increased proneness to infection, fevers, and/or mouth sores.

[5] Autoantibodies targeted at different antigenic determinants on red cells and platelets are assumed to cause isolated episodes of hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, respectively.

[3] Additional tests used to eliminate the possibility of other conditions include a computed tomography (CT) scan and a biopsy of bone marrow.

[5][16][17]  In children, it can remain well controlled with a long term immunosuppressant therapy that will occasionally lead to a spontaneous complete resolution of the condition.

[18]  Although the majority of cases initially respond well to treatment, relapses are not uncommon[3][5] and immunosuppressive drugs[3][5] (e.g. ciclosporin,[19][20] mycophenolate mofetil, vincristine[21] and danazol[22]) are subsequently used,[3] or combinations of these.

[23] The off-label use of rituximab (trade name Rituxan) has produced some good results in acute and refractory cases,[3][5][24][25] although further relapse may occur within a year.