Malaria history and symptoms: Difference between revisions
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==History== | ==History== | ||
Obtaining a detailed history of the [[symptoms]] and travel history of the patient is an important step for the diagnosis of malaria. A travel history to a country where malaria is endemic, when in the presence of flu-like symptoms is an important alert for the diagnosis. | Obtaining a detailed history of the [[symptoms]] and travel history of the patient is an important step for the diagnosis of malaria. A travel history to a country where malaria is endemic, when in the presence of flu-like symptoms is an important alert for the diagnosis. | ||
After the mosquito bite, the typical incubation period of malaria may range from 8 to 25 days, in a primary attack. This period may be longer, depending on the status of the immune system of the host, the species and strain of the parasite, the dose of sporozoites, as well as the possible presence of prophylactic drugs. | |||
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Relapses from latent hypnozoites may develop months or years after mosquito bites. Late-onset or recrudescent P. falciparum malaria may also occur in individuals who have suppressed parasitemia of drug-resistant parasites with chemoprophylactic drugs367 (see Fig. 275-2). Febrile patients presenting within 7 days of entering an endemic area are unlikely to have malaria, unless there has been earlier exposure to infective mosquito bites. As a general rule, and because of the dangers of acute P. falciparum infection, all travelers who have visited a malaria-endemic area in the 3 months prior to onset of fever or other suggestive symptoms should be considered to have malaria until proven otherwise. Even in patients beyond this time frame, it is wise to consider P. falciparum malaria, as illustrated, for example, in the recent report of a symptomatic presentation in an 18-year-old patient with sickle cell disease 4 years after visiting an endemic area.248 Latent attacks from the reactivation of P. vivax or P. ovale hypnozoites usually occur within 3 years and are rare more than 5 years after expo- sure. Recrudescence of P. malariae symptoms in individuals with subclinical parasitemia has been reported decades after initial infection.170,368,369 | |||
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Revision as of 15:57, 24 July 2014
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];
Overview
Malaria parasites are transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. The parasites multiply within red blood cells, causing symptoms that include symptoms of anemia (light headedness, shortness of breath, tachycardia etc.), as well as other general symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, flu-like illness, and in severe cases, coma and death.
History
Obtaining a detailed history of the symptoms and travel history of the patient is an important step for the diagnosis of malaria. A travel history to a country where malaria is endemic, when in the presence of flu-like symptoms is an important alert for the diagnosis.
After the mosquito bite, the typical incubation period of malaria may range from 8 to 25 days, in a primary attack. This period may be longer, depending on the status of the immune system of the host, the species and strain of the parasite, the dose of sporozoites, as well as the possible presence of prophylactic drugs.
Common Symptoms
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Weakness
- Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Abnormal posturing (children)
Less Common Symptoms
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloody urine
- Convulsions
- Feeling of tingling in the skin