When it comes to serious illnesses, malaria and typhoid are two that can cause significant health problems.
Both diseases are widespread in different parts of the world and can make you very sick, but they have different causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Knowing how to tell them apart is important for getting the right care and staying healthy.
Malaria is a disease caused by tiny parasites that are spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
It is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Typhoid fever, on the other hand, is caused by a type of bacteria that spreads through contaminated food and water.
It is more common in areas with poor sanitation.
Both illnesses can cause fever and other symptoms that make you feel unwell, but they are managed in different ways.
Understanding the key differences between malaria and typhoid can help you recognise symptoms early, seek the right treatment, and take steps to protect yourself.
1. Cause
- Malaria: Caused by parasites called Plasmodium, spread by infected mosquitoes.
- Typhoid: Caused by bacteria called Salmonella typhi, spread through contaminated food and water.
2. Symptoms
- Malaria: High fever, chills, sweating, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Some may also feel nauseous or vomit.
- Typhoid: High fever, weakness, stomach pain, headache, and loss of appetite. Some may have a rash or experience diarrhea or constipation.
3. Diagnosis
- Malaria: Diagnosed with a blood test to find malaria parasites.
- Typhoid: Diagnosed with a blood test to find Salmonella typhi bacteria.
4. Treatment
- Malaria: Treated with antimalarial medicines. The choice of medicine depends on the type of malaria.
- Typhoid: Treated with antibiotics, which are medicines that kill bacteria. It’s important to complete the full course of antibiotics.
5. Prevention
- Malaria: Use insect repellent, sleep under mosquito nets, and take antimalarial medicines if in a malaria-prone area.
- Typhoid: Drink clean water, eat well-cooked food, wash hands regularly, and consider getting the typhoid vaccine.
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