Stop Assuming Malaria Comes With Typhoid — Physician

A Medical Doctor with the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano, Dr Abdullahi Atiku Muhammad says many have died or suffered from mistaking malaria fever for typhoid and vice-versa.

​​​​​​Speaking to AllNews Nigeria in Kano, Muhammad said many assumed that the test requested of them, especially at primary health centres automatically translates to having typhoid fever.

He said many patients have resorted to self-medication when they feel feverish, a practice that puts their lives in danger.

According to him, though signs of malaria and typhoid may seem similar, they are entirely different.

"For example, malaria fever comes mostly towards evening, while typhoid fever can occur at any time of the day, and is usually hotter.

"When a person feels weak from malaria, he is mostly better by morning, this is not the case for the weakness patients feel from typhoid", he said.

The physician added that only Salmonella typhi bacteria present in patients' faeces or blood confirms typhoid fever.

He said if not treated in time, both malaria and typhoid can lead to a painful death, urging people to avoid keeping an untidy environment, drinking or washing fruits with unclean water and avoid all unsanitary practices to prevent being sick.

The doctor also advised against self-diagnosis and medication.