Signs of a disease are objective changes a doctor can measure, such as lesions, swelling, fever, or paralysis. In comparison, symptoms are subjective changes in body function, such as pain or malaise. Together, signs and symptoms, in addition to laboratory tests, are used in the diagnosis of a disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Malaria
The onset of symptoms usually occurs after a 7 to 30 day incubation period after being bit. The classical malarial attack lasts 6 to 10 hours and can occur in cycles of a cold stage (shivering), hot stage (fever, headaches, vomiting, seizures), and sweating stage (sweating, tiredness). However, malaria symptoms can vary depending on a variety of risk factors and the species of the infecting parasite. Some common signs and symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Sweats
- Headaches
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Body Aches
- General Malaise
- Elevated Temperatures
- Perspiration
- Enlarged Spleen
- Weakness
- Mild Jaundice
- Enlargement of the Liver
- Increased Respiratory Rate
- Anemia
- Neurological Complications like seizures or comas
- Low Blood Pressure
- Hypoglycemia
- Acute Kidney Failure
(http://howshealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Symptoms-signs-Malaria.png, September 13, 2014)
Risk Factors of Malaria
Genetic
- People with the sickle cell trait are relatively protected against P. falciparum
- People who test negative for the Duffy blood group have acquired immunity from P. vivax
Acquired Immunity
- After repeated attacks of malaria, one may develop partial immunity, where the disease may not severely manifest itself and the person shows little to no symptoms
- Newborns are generally protected for the first few months of life by their mothers' antibodies
Pregnancy
- Pregnant women often lose their immunity to P. falciparum. Babies born to women infected with malaria while pregnant are at higher risk of premature birth or low birth weight
Miscellaneous
- Young children who have yet to develop immunity
- People with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS
- International travelers from non-endemic areas
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