Confused between Yellow Fever and Malaria? Here's what you need to know!

 

Confused between Yellow Fever and Malaria

Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and others are very common in the tropical region. Mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water can transmit diseases through their bites. To prevent the spread of these diseases, it is important to take steps to eliminate standing water nearby. Yellow fever and malaria are two such diseases that are often confused with one another. Understanding more about these illnesses can help prevent their spread.

 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), yellow fever is spread by Aedes or Haemagogus species of mosquitoes, while malaria is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. One of the challenges in diagnosing these illnesses is that many cases of malaria and most cases of yellow fever do not have any symptoms. However, it is important to be aware of the signs of infection because both diseases can become severe and life-threatening.

Symptoms of Malaria and Yellow fever:

Malaria: A non-immune person typically experiences symptoms 10 to 15 days after being bitten by an infectious mosquito. Fever, headache, and chills are the primary symptoms, and these are followed by sweats, headaches, body aches, a general feeling of unwellness, nausea, and vomiting.

Severe malaria symptoms include acute kidney failure, hypoglycaemia, and neurological problems. The condition may also result in haemoglobinuria, which harms red blood cells. Acute respiratory distress syndrome, which makes it difficult to breathe, is another possibility.

Yellow Fever: The initial symptoms of yellow fever include a sudden fever, chills, back pain, a severe headache, general body aches, weakness, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. If recovery takes place, weakness and exhaustion could last for months.

The initial symptoms could temporarily go away, according to the WHO. Following the intermission, one in seven individuals will experience severe symptoms such as jaundice, bleeding, a high fever, shock, and organ failure.

Treatment for yellow fever and malaria:

Yellow fever is currently untreatable, but hospitalisation is advised as soon as the illness is identified. Although the effectiveness of treatment for malaria depends on a number of variables, oral medication or intravenous infusion are typically effective options. As soon as a person is diagnosed, treatment should begin.

Yellow fever survivors are believed to be immune to contracting new infections. In the meantime, dormant liver stage parasites from malaria could actually result in relapses. Malaria treatments can aid in preventing further attacks.

It is true that prevention is preferable to treatment when it comes to yellow fever and malaria. A person can protect himself or herself from these mosquito-borne diseases. People should use mosquito repellent containing DEET and mosquito nets if they are sleeping in camping grounds or in open to prevent getting bitten by disease-carrying mosquitoes. To prevent mosquitoes from entering homes, people should also cover their windows with nets.

It is also advised to wear full-length clothing when leaving the house to protect yourself.

Differences between yellow fever and malaria

Malaria is caused by a parasite that infects humans in five different species, whereas yellow fever is caused by a virus. Both diseases can be fatal upon infection, but malaria has a much higher mortality rate. Yellow fever cannot be treated while malaria can be treated.