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Table of Content - Volume 6 Issue 2 - May 2017


 

Atypical Presentations of Malaria with Age and Seasonal Variations

 

Shital Rathod1, Arvind Chavan2, Tushar Rathod3*, Shimpa Sharma4

 

{1Associate Professor, Department of Medicine}{2Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics} {3Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics} Dr. S.C. Government Medical College, Nanded, Maharashtra, INDIA.

4Professor, Department of Medicine, MGM College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, INDIA.

Email: dr.shitalrathod@rediffmail.com

 

Abstract              Background: Malaria is a seasonal disease in most parts of India, the maximum prevalence is from June to November.In endemic regions, malaria can present with unusual features due to development of immunity, increasing resistance to antimalarial drugs, and the indiscriminate use of antimalarial drugs. Aim: To analyze the atypical presentations of malaria with age and seasonal variations. Material and Methods: The study comprised of 630 cases of definitively diagnosed malaria over a period of 3 years from June 2006 to April 2008. A detailed clinical history regarding the type of fever and associated complaints was obtained. Results:It was observed that apyrexia was commonly present in the age group of 14-19 yrs (8/31patients) 7.2% vs. overall incidence of 4.92%. Patients in the age group of more than 60 years had higher incidence of throat discomfort (84/630) 23.8% vs. overall incidence of 13.3%).Lack of taste was found to be significantly increased in patients who presented between Oct 06-Jan 07. Conclusion: Treating physicians especially those in endemic areas, should be aware of the atypical presentations and variations with age and season tosuspect malaria so that the diagnosis and treatment are timely and morbidity and mortality minimized.

Keywords: malaria, atypical presentation, age, season, lack of taste.