A Patient with Severe Malaria and COVID-19: How Do You Tell the Difference between These Infections?
  • Maria João Correia
    COVID Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal; Internal Medicine Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Luciana Frade
    COVID Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal; Internal Medicine Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Renato Guerreiro
    COVID Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal; Internal Medicine Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Inês Araujo
    COVID Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal; Internal Medicine Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Teresa Baptista
    COVID Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal; Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Egas Moniz, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Cândida Fonseca
    COVID Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal; Internal Medicine Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Kamal Mansinho
    COVID Department, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, Portugal; Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Egas Moniz, Lisboa, Portugal

Keywords

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, malaria, Plasmodium falciparum

Abstract

Coronavirus infection, known as COVID-19, is characterized by clinical, epidemiological and biological features similar to those of malaria. In each case, fever, myalgia, fatigue, headaches and gastrointestinal symptoms may be present. Both diseases can also induce a cytokine storm and pro-coagulant states. An appropriate epidemiological approach and differential diagnosis are very important so that the right clinical intervention can be selected.
Malaria remains a serious global public health issue, especially in endemic countries. Elimination campaigns are helping to control the disease, but in many countries these programs are now at risk of failure due to logistic and economic problems caused by COVID-19.
The authors describe the case of a patient with co-infection with malaria and COVID-19, reminding us that during this coronavirus pandemic it is critical to consider other diagnoses, particularly in people traveling between countries.

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References

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    Published: 2020-11-13
    Issue: 2020: Vol 7 No 12 (view)


    How to cite:
    1.
    Correia MJ, Frade L, Guerreiro R, Araujo I, Baptista T, Fonseca C, Mansinho K. A Patient with Severe Malaria and COVID-19: How Do You Tell the Difference between These Infections?. EJCRIM 2020;7 doi:10.12890/2020_002007.

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