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Malaria and Typhoid Fever: How to Tell the Difference

Author's details

  • Hakim A Abubakre
  • BA (Hons) International Business Management, Msc Digital Marketing.

Reviewer's details

  • Dr. Khashau Eleburuike
  • MBBS (Ilorin) MSc. Global Health Karolinska Institute.
  • Resident doctor in family medicine in Northern Sweden.
  • Date Published: 2025-10-27
  • Date Updated: 2025-10-27

Malaria and Typhoid Fever: How to Tell the Difference

Introduction

Malaria and typhoid fever are common causes of fever in Sub-Saharan Africa. Their early symptoms look similar, so many people confuse them. However, they are different diseases needing different treatments. Only a medical test can confirm which one you have.

Discussion

Causes and How They Spread

Disease Cause Spread by
Malaria Plasmodium parasite Bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito
Typhoid Fever Salmonella typhi bacterium Eating or drinking contaminated food or water
  • Malaria incubation: 7–30 days
  • Typhoid incubation: 6–30 days

 

Main Symptoms

Malaria Typhoid Fever
Fever Sudden, high, with chills 

and sweating

 Gradual, rising, continuous
Headache Severe Mild to moderate
Body aches / weakness Common Common
Abdominal pain Sometimes Common
Nausea or vomiting Common Common
Constipation or diarrhoea Sometimes Common
Jaundice

 (yellow eyes/skin)

 Sometimes Rare
Confusion May occur in 

severe cases

 May occur if untreated

 

Complications

Malaria: Anaemia, brain infection (cerebral malaria), and organ failure.
Typhoid: Intestinal bleeding or perforation, severe infection in the blood called sepsis, long recovery, or relapse if untreated.

 

Prevention

Malaria

  • Sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
  • Use mosquito repellents and wear long sleeves.
  • Remove stagnant water.
  • Take preventive antimalarial medicines if advised.

Typhoid Fever

  • Wash hands with soap and clean water.
  • Drink boiled or treated water.
  • Eat well-cooked food; avoid raw or roadside food.
  • Get vaccinated before travel to high-risk areas.

 

Treatment

  • Malaria: Treated with antimalarial drugs such as artemether-lumefantrine or artesunate combinations. Severe cases need hospital care.
  • Typhoid: Treated with antibiotics such as azithromycin or ceftriaxone (only by prescription). Vaccination helps prevent infection.

 

Why You Cannot Tell at Home

  • Symptoms overlap (fever, headache, tiredness).
  • Fever patterns (cyclical vs. gradual) are clues but not proof.
  • Only a blood test (for malaria) or stool/blood culture (for typhoid) can confirm the diagnosis.
  • Self-medication is dangerous and delays proper treatment.

 

When to See a Health Worker

  • Fever longer than 2 days
  • Severe headache, vomiting, or weakness
  • Abdominal pain, confusion, or seizures
  • No improvement after taking malaria drugs

Go to a health center or hospital for proper testing and treatment.

 

Quick Comparison

Feature Malaria Typhoid Fever
Cause Parasite (Plasmodium) Bacterium (Salmonella typhi)
Spread by Mosquito bites Contaminated food or water
Fever Cyclical (comes and goes) Sustained (gradually rises)
Key symptoms Chills, sweating, headache Abdominal pain, diarrhoea/constipation
Prevention Mosquito control Hygiene, clean water, vaccination
Treatment Antimalarial drugs Antibiotics

 

Conclusion

Key Message

If you have a fever, do not guess or buy drugs on your own.
Visit a health facility for a test and the right treatment.
Prevent malaria by controlling mosquitoes and prevent typhoid by keeping food and water clean.

 

References

References

  1. World Health Organization (WHO), Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria, 2023.
  2. WHO, Typhoid Fever – Key Facts, 2024.
  3. CDC, Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever Information.
  4. UNICEF & WHO Africa, IMCI Guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa.
  5. Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria, Diagnosis and Treatment of Malaria and Typhoid, 2021.