A patient arrives at the emergency room feeling extremely sick, with cycles of high fevers and chills and a severe headache. However, these symptoms are nonspecific and malaria may not be suspected if the patient is in a region where malaria is uncommon. If the medical professionals did not immediately consider malaria, which of the following test results would most strongly suggest the need for malaria testing (such as microscopic analysis of a blood smear)?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A progressively worsening severe anemia is a common symptom of malaria. While vomiting and an enlarged liver with a small spleen can also be indicative of malaria, severe anemia is the most specific symptom. High platelet counts are not typically associated with malaria.

A Patient Arrives at the Emergency Room Feeling Extremely Sick