Malaria vs. Flu: Understanding the Difference

What exactly is malaria, and how is it different from the common flu? 

The two illnesses may share fever and body aches as symptoms, but they are caused by very different organisms and spread in very different ways. In our latest podcast, Dr. Roshni Jhan Ganguly joined Dhruv Gupta, Co-founder of Orange Health Labs, to explain the distinctions and why recognising them matters.

Watch the video here

What Causes Malaria and Flu?

Malaria is a vector-borne disease, which means it is spread through the bite of an infected insect, in this case, mosquitoes. It is caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The flu, on the other hand, is caused by a group of viruses and spreads through the air, often from direct contact, coughing, or sneezing.

Key Symptom Differences

Flu symptoms mostly affect the respiratory system. Common signs include:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or blocked nose
• Fever and fatigue

Malaria symptoms, however, are quite distinct. Along with fever and body aches, the hallmark feature is chills and rigors (episodes of intense shivering that can make the whole body shake). These occur in cycles every 48 to 72 hours. Other possible symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and headaches.

As Dr. Ganguly explains: “The common flu shows up as respiratory tract symptoms like cough, sore throat, and a runny nose. In malaria, you don’t see this. Instead, you see fever with chills, rigors, and body aches that come in spikes every few days.”

Takeaway

While both malaria and flu may begin with fever, their causes and symptoms are very different. Flu typically presents with respiratory issues, while malaria is marked by fever with recurring chills and rigors. Knowing these distinctions helps ensure the right diagnosis and timely treatment.

We discuss this further in Episode 10 of The Orange Club Podcast: The Truth About Monsoon Diseases: What Causes Malaria, Dengue & Chikungunya