Malaria in the Time of COVID-19: Do Not Miss the Real Cause of Illness

Abstract

We report a case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a patient asymptomatically co-infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In the current ongoing coronavirus pandemic, co-infections with unrelated life-threatening febrile conditions may pose a particular challenge to clinicians. The current situation increases the risk for cognitive biases in medical management.

Keywords

• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• plasmodium falciparum
• differential diagnosis
• cognitive bias
• diagnostic reasoning