Malaria and dengue have some common symptoms, but the two infections also have some differences. Let’s understand the differences between malaria and dengue.
Basics of Malaria:
- It is caused by plasmodium parasites, which spread to people through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes
- Young children < 5-year and pregnant female are most susceptible to malaria
- Its transmission depends on climatic conditions with peaks during and just after the rainy season
Basics of Dengue
- It is a viral disease transmitted by female mosquitoes Aedes aegypti or albopictus
- Dengue virus often shows mild flu-like symptoms, but occasionally these can develop dengue haemorrhagic fever, a dangerous condition
- Your WBC and platelet count in the blood show extreme drop
Common symptoms shared by Malaria and Dengue fever are as follows:
- Headaches
- General body weakness
- Severe muscle ache
- Lower back pain
- Cold & cough
- Shivering
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Differences between Malaria and Dengue Symptoms:
Malaria:
Symptoms usually appear 10–15 days after the infective mosquito bite, which can include:
- Periodic fever with chills and headache
- Fall in body temperature resulting in excessive sweating
- Dry
- Diarrhoea
- Fainting
Dengue:
Symptoms usually persist for 2–7 days, after an incubation period of 4–10 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. Dengue should be suspected when a high fever (40°C/104°F) is accompanied with two of the following symptoms:
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pains
- Rashes on skin
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bleeding gums
Warning signs for severe dengue include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Blood in vomit, urine, or stool
- Bruises on the skin
- Fatigue, irritability, or restlessness
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, get tested immediately.
