Acute febrile illness refers to a sudden onset of fever and associated symptoms that may include headache, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue. While many acute febrile illnesses are self-limiting and resolve on their own, some may be indicative of a more serious underlying condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. The differential diagnosis of acute febrile illness can be broad, but the most common causes include: Viral infections : Many viruses can cause acute febrile illness, including the flu, dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya virus. Bacterial infections : Bacterial infections that can cause acute febrile illness include pneumonia, meningitis, and urinary tract infections. Parasitic infections : Parasitic infections such as malaria, typhoid fever, and leptospirosis can cause acute febrile illness. Autoimmune disorders : Autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can present with acute febrile illness. Drug reactions : Some drugs, including antib...
Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasitic infection that is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease is prevalent in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world and is responsible for a significant number of deaths each year. The parasite responsible for causing malaria is Plasmodium, of which there are several species. The most deadly species is Plasmodium falciparum, which is responsible for most malaria-related deaths. Other species, such as Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae, can also cause malaria but are generally less severe. Malaria is a significant public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where over 90% of malaria deaths occur. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2019, and 409,000 people died from the disease. Most of these deaths occurred in children under five years of age. Symptoms of Mal...