Malaria history and symptoms: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The hallmark [[symptom]] of [[malaria]] is [[fever]], which commonly occurs in paroxysms, separated by fever-free time-intervals. The classical but rarely observed malaria attack lasts 6-10 hours, and it consists of a cold stage, hot stage, and sweating stage. Other common [[symptoms]] of [[malaria]] include [[chills]], [[headache]], [[weakness]], [[night sweats]], [[flu]]-like symptoms, and [[myalgia|muscle]] and [[joint pain]]. 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.<ref>{{cite book | last = Mandell | first = Gerald | title = Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's principles and practice of infectious diseases | publisher = Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier | location = Philadelphia, PA | year = 2010 | isbn = 0443068399 }}</ref> | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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Commonly, the [[diagnosis]] of [[malaria]] should be considered in every patient who presents with an onset of [[fever]] and other related symptoms, who has traveled to a malaria-[[endemic]] region on the previous 3 months. Sometimes a wider time-frame may be considered.<ref>{{cite book | last = Mandell | first = Gerald | title = Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's principles and practice of infectious diseases | publisher = Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier | location = Philadelphia, PA | year = 2010 | isbn = 0443068399 }}</ref> | Commonly, the [[diagnosis]] of [[malaria]] should be considered in every patient who presents with an onset of [[fever]] and other related symptoms, who has traveled to a malaria-[[endemic]] region on the previous 3 months. Sometimes a wider time-frame may be considered.<ref>{{cite book | last = Mandell | first = Gerald | title = Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's principles and practice of infectious diseases | publisher = Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier | location = Philadelphia, PA | year = 2010 | isbn = 0443068399 }}</ref> | ||
===Fever Pattern=== | ===Fever Pattern=== | ||
Revision as of 22:10, 24 July 2014
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
The hallmark symptom of malaria is fever, which commonly occurs in paroxysms, separated by fever-free time-intervals. The classical but rarely observed malaria attack lasts 6-10 hours, and it consists of a cold stage, hot stage, and sweating stage. Other common symptoms of malaria include chills, headache, weakness, night sweats, flu-like symptoms, and muscle and joint pain. 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.[1]
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.[2]
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. However, in the case of latent hypnozoites, relapses may occur within months to years after the mosquito bite.[3]
Commonly, the diagnosis of malaria should be considered in every patient who presents with an onset of fever and other related symptoms, who has traveled to a malaria-endemic region on the previous 3 months. Sometimes a wider time-frame may be considered.[4]
Fever Pattern
Fever in malaria is classically described as occurring in paroxysms of a few hours. These may be described as:
- Cold stage - where the patient experiences rigors and chills
- Hot stage - characterized by fever, headaches, and children may experience seizures
- Sweating stage - characterized by sweats, return to normal temperature with a feeling of fatigue
The time-interval between fever paroxysms changes according to the type of Plasmodium causing the disease:
- "Tertian" fever - paroxysms occur every second day, caused by "tertian" parasites:
- "Quartan" fever - paroxysms occur every third day, caused by the "quartan" parasite:
Common Symptoms
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Weakness
- Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Abnormal posturing (children)
Less Common Symptoms
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Feeling of tingling in the skin
- Bloody urine
- Convulsions
References
- ↑ Mandell, Gerald (2010). Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's principles and practice of infectious diseases. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. ISBN 0443068399.
- ↑ Mandell, Gerald (2010). Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's principles and practice of infectious diseases. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. ISBN 0443068399.
- ↑ Mandell, Gerald (2010). Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's principles and practice of infectious diseases. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. ISBN 0443068399.
- ↑ Mandell, Gerald (2010). Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's principles and practice of infectious diseases. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. ISBN 0443068399.