Still on the subject of mosquitoes, let’s dig into the difference between two known mosquito-borne diseases, MALARIA and DENGUE, which are found in tropical and subtropical areas around the globe.[1]

Not the same mosquitoes. Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted when a female Anopheles mosquito bites a person[2] while dengue is a viral infection[3] arising from the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito[4]. Dengue may be spread by other mosquitoes, but only one type of mosquito can spread the malaria-causing parasite.[5] Malaria can also be transmitted through infected needles or blood transfusion.

Different attack times. The mosquito carrying malaria is usually active at night, while the dengue mosquito attacks when there is daylight.[6]

Some unique symptoms of Dengue. Early signs of malaria include fever and chills, headaches, nausea and vomiting and muscle pain and fatigue. Dengue’s warning signs also include high fever, fatigue and nausea with three unique symptoms, namely, pain behind the eyes, swollen glands and rashes.[7] In addition, in most cases of malaria fever is shorter than dengue fever, which lasts for about seven days.[8]

Longer incubation for malaria. Dengue signs become evident within 4 to 5 days after an infected mosquito bite. Malaria takes about 10-15 days before symptoms appear.[9]

[1] DifferenceBetween.net. [2018, November]. Difference Between Malaria and Dengue. Retrieved from http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-malaria-and-dengue/

[2] Medanta.org. [2019, April]. World Malaria Day 2019: Know the Difference Between Dengue and Malaria. Retrieved from https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/world-malaria-day-dengue-and-malaria/

[3] Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. [2011, August]. Concurrent malaria and dengue infection: a brief summary and comment. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614227/

[4] DifferenceBetween.net. [2018, November]. Difference Between Malaria and Dengue. Retrieved from http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-malaria-and-dengue/

[5] Sengar, C. [2015, April]. What’s the difference between Dengue Fever and Malaria Fever. Retrieved from https://www.onlymyhealth.com/difference-between-dengue-malaria-fever-1302524266

[6] DifferenceBetween.net. [2018, November]. Difference Between Malaria and Dengue. Retrieved from http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-malaria-and-dengue/

[7] Medanta.org. [2019, April]. World Malaria Day 2019: Know the Difference Between Dengue and Malaria. Retrieved from https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/world-malaria-day-dengue-and-malaria/

[8] Sengar, C. [2015, April]. What’s the difference between Dengue Fever and Malaria Fever. Retrieved from https://www.onlymyhealth.com/difference-between-dengue-malaria-fever-1302524266

[9] Sengar, C. [2015, April]. What’s the difference between Dengue Fever and Malaria Fever. Retrieved from https://www.onlymyhealth.com/difference-between-dengue-malaria-fever-1302524266