Brief comparison between Influenza and Malaria infection. Disclaimer! It provides only brief comparison and differential between malaria and influenza infections. It does not provide deep insight! Use freely to study or present.

1. Malaria and
Influenza
Jan Stanislaw Dorosz M1770

3. Common modalities
Common findings Malaria Influenza
Fever Present Present
Fatigue Present Present
Headache Present Present
Muscle aches Present Present
Nausea Present Absent or mild
Vomiting Present Absent or mild

4. Differential modalities
Differential
diagnosis
Malaria Influenza
Travel
history
Recent travel to endemic areas, especially in
Africa, Asia, and South America.
No specific travel history required, but outbreaks
may occur in crowded or closed environments such
as schools, nursing homes, or military camps.
Seasonal
variation
Can occur throughout the year, but may have
seasonal peaks depending on the local climate
and mosquito breeding patterns.
More common during the winter months, but can
occur throughout the year in some regions.
Incubation
period
Usually longer, ranging from 7 to 30 days
depending on the species of Plasmodium
parasite.
Usually shorter, ranging from 1 to 4 days.
Diagnostic
tests
Detection of Plasmodium parasites in blood
smears, blood smear microscopy, rapid
diagnostic tests, or PCR-based assays.
RIDTs (Naso-pharyngeal swab) , RT-PCRs, viral
culture, serological tests, or clinical evaluation.

5. Diagnosis of malaria

6. Microscopic detection in blood smear.

7. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT)

8. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

9. Serological tests:
Serology detects antibodies against malaria parasites, using either:
- Indirect immunofluorescence (IFA)
or
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Serology does not detect current infection but rather measures past
exposure.

10. Diagnosis of influenza
- RIDTs
or combo
RDTs

11. Treatment
Treatment Malaria Influenza
Specific therapy - Chloroquine: 10 mg/kg base over 3
days
- Quinine sulfate: 25 mg/kg orally
every 8 hours for 7 days
- Artemisinin-based combination
therapy (ACT): e.g. artemether-
lumefantrine (20/120 mg or 40/240
mg tablets)
- Neuraminidase inhibitors: Oseltamivir
(Tamiflu): 75 mg twice daily for 5 days
- Zanamivir (Relenza): 10 mg (2
inhalations) twice daily for 5 days
- Peramivir (Rapivab): 600 mg IV once
daily for 5 days
Other supportive
care
Intravenous (IV) fluids, blood transfusion,
oxygen therapy, antipyretics, analgesics,
anticonvulsants, antihistamines, and other
medications as needed.
Symptomatic relief of fever, cough, sore
throat, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue,
including rest, hydration, nasal
decongestants, cough suppressants, and
pain relievers. Vaccination is the best way to
prevent influenza infection.

12. References
1. National Center of Biotechnology Information, 07.03.2023,
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551711/>
2. National Center of Biotechnology Information, 07.03.2023,
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459363/>