Diagnosing malaria and other febrile illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Misleading Results of Typhi Dot Test in COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Owing to the overlapping symptomatology, it is problematic to recognize the actual underlying reason without the appropriate diagnostic tests. [6] Patients of COVID-19 are also presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) signs and symptoms in the health care institutions. for typhoid fever could not be reliable.…”

Malaria and COVID-19: commonalities, intersections and implications for sustaining malaria control

“…This has grave implications for severe malaria patients and the pervading fear of contracting COVID-19 in health facilities is a concern. Thus, an integrated approach to management of febrile illnesses and adopting efficient telehealth services, is critical [ 21 ]. Another threat to the severity of both diseases is the high prevalence of malnutrition, anemia, malaria, HIV/AIDs, and tuberculosis in the population which reduces immunity and increase susceptibility to severe diseases even in the younger age group which may be different from the narrative in developed countries.…”

“…COVID-19 preventive measures and implications for malaria control: restriction of movement, cessation of interstate movement, intermittent health services, reduced visits to health facilities due to fear of getting infected with and being diagnosed of COVID-19, stigmatization of COVID-19 treatment centers, may culminate in ineffective treatment of malaria, other diseases and health conditions. These discourage pursuance of health care and may impact malaria morbidity and mortality [ 21 ]. The current lockdown impacts environmental management, encourages mosquito breeding which is made worse with the arrival/onset of the rainy season.…”

“…There has been inadequate supply of protective wears (personal protective equipment-PPE) for health workers in many affected malaria endemic countries [ 30 ]. This coupled with social distancing and fear may limit the motivation of health workers to provide malaria diagnosis and treatment services [ 21 ]. In addition to personnel, there is also a limitation to effective management of diseases in general at health facilities, and particularly at this time, COVID-19 and malaria.…”

Desafio Da Covid-19 Para a Saúde Pública

“…O quadro inicial inespecífico, tendo febre como um dos principais sintomas, pode ser um desafio diagnóstico em regiões em que há outras doenças febris infecciosas prevalentes, como arboviroses, malária e leptospirose (DITTRICH et al, 2020). Quando a epidemia de COVID-19 ocorre no período da sazonalidade para infecções por outros vírus respiratórios este também pode ser um desafio adicional, tanto do ponto de vista de diagnóstico diferencial com outras infecções, que podem ter tratamento específico, como pela possibilidade de coinfecção com outros vírus respiratórios -esta é uma situação comum e já foi relatado que 4,35% dos pacientes internados por COVID-19 tinham confirmação laboratorial também de infecção por Influenza (DING et al, 2020).…”