The name, pappataci fever, comes from the Italian word for sandfly; it is the union of the words pappa (usually this is used as a generic name for food, but in this case it is a verb meaning "eating") and taci (silent), distinguishing these insects from blood-feeding mosquitoes, which produce a typical noise while flying.

A few days after the infective bite, a feeling of lassitude, abdominal distress and chills develop followed by fever of 39 to 40 °C (102 to 104 °F), severe frontal headaches, muscle and joint aches, flushing of the face and a fast heart rate.

Fatigue, a slow heart rate and low blood pressure may persist from a few days to several weeks but complete recovery is the rule.

[2] Pappataci fever is prevalent in the subtropical zone of the Eastern Hemisphere between 20°N and 45°N,[1] particularly in Southern Europe, North Africa, the Balkans, Eastern Mediterranean, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.

[4] Pappataci fever is seldom recognised in endemic populations because it is mixed with other febrile illnesses of childhood, but it is more well known among immigrants and military personnel from non-endemic regions.