Welcome to Koyo’s series of trusted healthcare articles. If you need more personalised advice, you can chat with a Koyo doctor today.
Written by: Favour Francis | Reviewed by: Dr. Ortega Ogomigo
INTRODUCTION
The night has barely settled when your child begins to shiver. At first, it is just a slight tremble under the wrapper. You notice it the way Nigerian mothers notice everything about their children. You place the back of your palm on your child’s forehead. It is warm… too warm.
By morning, the warmth has grown into heat.
Your child lies quietly now, her eyes half-closed, lips dry, appetite gone. You do not need anyone to tell you what you think it is. In many Nigerian homes, fever has a name people know too well.
‘Malaria’, you say.
It is a word that has lived in our houses for years. A child develops a fever, begins to feel weak, and perhaps refuses food, and we conclude almost immediately. Sometimes medicine is brought out from the cupboard, or there’s just a quick visit to the pharmacy down the street.
But treating malaria when it is not malaria can create its own problems. Antimalarial drugs are designed specifically to fight the Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria. When they are taken unnecessarily, they will not treat the real illness affecting the child. Instead, the actual infection may continue to progress while valuable time is lost. In some cases, unnecessary medication can also lead to side effects such as vomiting, dizziness, or allergic reactions, and repeated misuse may contribute to drug resistance over time.
For this reason, healthcare professionals recommend confirming malaria through proper testing before starting treatment. A simple laboratory test or rapid diagnostic test can quickly show whether malaria parasites are present in the blood. Consulting a qualified doctor helps ensure that the right illness is identified early and that your child receives the correct treatment without delay.
Malaria is common in Nigeria, yes. But not every fever belongs to it. Sometimes the body is fighting something entirely different, perhaps an infection that only wears the same mask. And when one illness is mistaken for another, the right treatment may come late.
So before assuming again, it helps to pause and look more closely. Some childhood illnesses begin just like malaria, but they leave other small clues behind.
That is why this article helps to break down 10 childhood illnesses that are often mistaken for malaria and the signs that could help you tell the difference.
TEN CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES OFTEN MISTAKEN FOR MALARIA AND HOW TO IDENTIFY THE DIFFERENCES
1. Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is common in parts of Nigeria due to contaminated water or street food. Mothers in Nigeria often notice high fever and fatigue, which can mimic malaria.
Doctors observe that in clinical practice, typhoid often presents with abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, and a gradually rising fever over days. Unlike malaria, chills are usually mild or absent.
2. Viral Infections
From flu to common viral fevers, children in Nigerian homes frequently experience fever, tiredness, headaches, and loss of appetite, classic malaria-like symptoms.
Healthcare professionals in Nigeria note that viral infections often come with runny noses, coughs, or mild rashes. Symptoms generally improve with rest and supportive care, rather than antimalarial medication.
3. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
In children, a sudden high fever without other obvious symptoms may actually be a UTI. And since young children may not verbalise discomfort, mothers must learn to pay close attention to signs, such as pain when the child urinates, more frequent trips to the bathroom, or abdominal tenderness. Watching out for these signs can help distinguish it from malaria.
4. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a serious respiratory infection that can start with fever and fatigue. In Nigeria, it remains a leading cause of hospitalisation in children under five. Healthcare professionals report that as pneumonia progresses, children may develop rapid or laboured breathing, chest pain, or persistent cough. Unlike malaria, respiratory distress is a major warning sign.
5. Gastroenteritis (Stomach Infection)
Caused by bacteria or viruses, gastroenteritis in children often presents with fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Doctors note that while fever overlaps with malaria symptoms, frequent diarrhea and vomiting are more characteristic of gastroenteritis, helping mothers and clinicians differentiate between the two.
6. Dengue Fever
Though less common than malaria, dengue is being reported more frequently in some urban areas of Nigeria. Like malaria, it starts with sudden high fever, body aches, and fatigue.
What sets it apart is a rash that may appear a few days after the fever begins. Also, severe joint or muscle pain, sometimes called ‘breakbone fever’, can help mothers and healthcare providers suspect dengue instead of malaria.
7. Measles
Mothers in Nigeria often first notice measles when the classic rash appears, but early signs can be mistaken for malaria because they include fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Clues to watch for: red, watery eyes, cough, and a spreading rash that starts on the face. These signs are usually absent in malaria.
8. Ear Infections (Otitis Media)
Toddlers and young children can develop ear infections that trigger fever, irritability, and refusal to eat, signs that can mimic malaria. To figure this out, doctors recommend checking if your child is always tugging or rubbing their ears, has unusual fussiness, or is draining fluid from the ear. These can point to an infection rather than malaria.
9. Influenza / Severe Respiratory Viral Infections
Flu season in Nigeria brings fevers, headaches, body aches, and fatigue, all of which are very malaria-like.
How to tell if it’s malaria or something else: Nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, and sometimes sore throat usually accompany viral infections. Malaria rarely produces these respiratory symptoms.
10. Febrile Seizures
Some children may experience sudden convulsions when their body temperature spikes. In Nigerian households, this can quickly be assumed to be severe malaria.
Medical professionals have identified that Febrile seizures are triggered by any rapid rise in temperature, not just malaria. So, mothers should note the timing and seek medical care immediately.
Paying attention to additional signs besides fever can help you identify whether or not it is actually malaria, which then helps you to seek the right care. Remember, when in doubt, always consult a healthcare professional rather than guessing, because early attention can make a huge difference
FROM THE DESK OF KOYO DOCTORS
As a mother, it’s natural to worry whenever your child falls ill. Fevers and other sudden symptoms can feel like the symptoms of something familiar, but it is not advisable to act out of routine.
Your child’s health matters, so you must learn to observe carefully, watch for warning signs, and don’t hesitate to seek professional care if something feels off.
KOYO doctors are ever ready to help you provide that clarity and guide you towards the best next step for your child’s well-being. Chat with a trusted doctor today on the Koyohealthtechnigeria platform.
