As we all know that Malaria dengue and chikungunya are running these days as an epidemic hit on a global level. These are three types of mosquito-borne diseases. As symptoms are so similar between each of the diseases, it can be quite difficult to differentiate between them without laboratory testing. Here are few features which may help you to differentiate between each of the diseases:
MALARIA:
• Malaria is caused by a parasite and transmitted by the bite of female Anopheles mosquito.
• Malaria will take at least 2 weeks to show symptoms, the manifestations of malaria will begin 8-25 days after the mosquito bite.
• Malaria fever is for a shorter period and is best known for paroxysm. malaria typically has the following progression of symptoms through cold, hot and sweating stages:
*Sensation of cold, shivering
*Fever, headaches, and vomiting
*Sweats followed by a return to normal temperature, with tiredness.
•Malaria is diagnosed via blood film.
DENGUE
• Dengue is a viral infection caused by a flavivirus and transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
• Dengue has a shorter incubation period, usually ranging from 3 to 4 days.
• Dengue has a sudden onset and remains for the long duration. It is associated with low platelet count, high bleeding risk (such a nosebleed, bleeding gums, or easy bruising), and pain behind the eyes and skin rash which appears two to five days after the onset of fever whereas Chikungunya does not exhibit these symptoms.
• The mosquito becomes infected when it bites a person with
dengue virus in their blood.
• It can’t be spread directly from one person to another person.
• Dengue is diagnosed through ELISA.
CHIKUNGUNYA:
• Chikungunya is commonly caused by the alphavirus, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
• Mosquito bites during day time and hence day time mosquito bite is the main reason for transmission.
• Chikungunya will take around 1 week before its signs are obvious.
• Initial symptoms of both dengue and chikungunya are similar including severe and persistent joint pain, body rash, headache, and fever, whereas chikungunya’s joint pain and inflammation are more intense and pronounced.
• Chikungunya is diagnosed through ELISA.
