Differentials
Malaria
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
May be recurrent fever pattern.
INVESTIGATIONS
Blood smear for malaria.
Dengue
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
May be accompanied by diffuse rash.
INVESTIGATIONS
Serology for dengue (positive only after 1 week of infection). Detection of non-structural protein 1(NS1).
Rickettsial infections
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
Includes typhus fevers.
History of exposure to infected arthropod vectors (ticks, fleas, lice, mites).
Presence of eschar.
INVESTIGATIONS
Serology for Rickettsia.
Leptospirosis
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
Usually after history of exposure to fresh water (swimming, rafting, etc.).
INVESTIGATIONS
Positive serology or PCR.
Mononucleosis
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
Sore throat and lymphadenopathy.
INVESTIGATIONS
Lymphocytosis in blood count.
Positive serology or PCR.
Brucellosis
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
Exposure to unpasteurised milk products.
INVESTIGATIONS
Positive serology or blood culture.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
Residence in/travel to a country/area or territory with local transmission, or close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, in the 14 days prior to symptom onset.
INVESTIGATIONS
Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR): positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA.
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