Malaria among hilltribe communities in northern Thailand: a review of clinical manifestations.
Malaria is an important vector-borne disease in the tropics. Northern Thailand is endemic for malaria. We reviewed the clinical manifestations presented by patients with malaria; our data were drawn from the database of Mae Chaem Hospital, Chiang Mai Province. Mae Chaem district is hilly and rural. More than 80% of the district's population are members of hilltribes. The database showed that between July 2000 and April 2001, a final diagnosis of malaria was made in 94 cases. The commonest clinical manifestation was fever (in 91 cases; 96.8%), followed by chills (in 57 cases; 60.6%). Interestingly, some unusual presentations such as petechiae, abnormal menstruation, and jaundice were also found.
Suyaphun
A
A
Mae Chaem Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Wiwanitkit
V
V
Suwansaksri
J
J
Nithiuthai
S
S
Sritar
S
S
Suksirisampant
W
W
Fongsungnern
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology